The Role of Mobile Devices in Sustainable Business Practices

Sustainability isn’t just another corporate buzzword – today, it’s a critical focus for modern businesses.

There are several reasons for this. Even with the cost of living rising across the world and the impact of inflation, consumers are still willing to pay a 9.7% premium for sustainable products or services.

This sentiment also extends to the job market. One Totaljobs survey found that 62% of employers have seen an increase in candidates asking about their organisation’s sustainability credentials during interviews.

Then there’s the impact of mounting legislation, with businesses of all kinds now under pressure to conform with increasingly strict Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) measures.

As a result, sustainability is recognised today as a commercial imperative, with an IBM survey of business executives finding that 75% believe sustainability drives better business results.

Clearly, sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) should be a priority for all organisations that want to be recognised as leaders in their industry. However, integrating this throughout their operations is no mean feat.

The impact of mobile devices on organisational sustainability

One significant aspect of an organisation’s carbon emissions that is often overlooked is the use of mobile devices.

Smartphones are a critical component in the modern worker’s toolbox. These devices facilitate remote and hybrid work, allowing employees to access whatever they need no matter where they’re working from.

However, the production, energy consumption and disposal of mobile devices can all contribute to an organisation’s carbon footprint. Production in particular is problematic, accounting for 80% of a smartphone’s total emissions and producing up to 70kg of CO₂.

What’s more, as these devices become more sophisticated, the number of mineral resources they require will increase.

It’s understandable for businesses to feel pressure to adopt new innovations. However, any technological initiative must align with the wider organisation’s ongoing sustainability initiatives and goals.

If organisations fail to do their due diligence, their investments threaten to undo all of their hard work in sustainability, damage their public reputation, and put them in the firing line for significant regulatory penalties.

Sustainable practices in mobile solutions

If you’re looking to onboard mobile devices in your organisation, and want to ensure this doesn’t impact your carbon footprint, there are several sustainable practices you can adopt:

Participating in recycling schemes

The UK is one of the biggest contributors to e-waste in the world, with our disposal of smartphones a significant portion of this.

What’s more, the old or discarded devices that are sent to the landfill can release harmful chemicals to the environment.

Virgin Media O₂ Business, in Partnership with Samsung, have a recycling scheme available to all registered organisations in the UK. By trading in your old business mobiles for cash, you can help us bring tech waste down.

To participate, you don’t have to pay – you don’t even need to be a customer. Just register the devices you want to trade in and organise a collection date that suits you, and we’ll take care of the rest.

Our zero-landfill policy ensures that the majority of phones are either reused, repaired, or recycled for parts.

Selecting devices that last longer

Getting longevity out of our mobile devices is key when it comes to sustainability.

The impact of adding just a single year to the lifespan of all mobile devices can’t be overstated. By 2030, it could save up to 21.4 million tonnes of CO₂ per year – the equivalent of taking over 4.7 million cars off the road.

Investing in reliable devices with longer lifespans can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Ruggedised mobile devices like the Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 are designed to operate in harsh environments, require replacement less frequently, and have greater longevity than typical smartphones.

You can also extend the life of your existing devices with us. We run a dedicated plant in Norwich, where via repairing and refurbishment we can increase the longevity of your old or unwanted business mobiles.

Partnering with sustainable device and network providers

The true environmental impact of your organisation doesn’t end with what’s in your direct control – the credentials of the partners and providers you work with in your supply chain are equally as important.

It’s therefore vital that your mobile device partners are as committed to sustainability and CSR as you are.

Both Virgin Media O₂ Business and Samsung have sustainability as a top priority, having pledged to ensure that at least 95% of waste is recycled responsibly. Collectively, we’ve already made huge strides in achieving net zero carbon emissions, implemented sustainability into key services and products and are helping our consumers to make more sustainable choices.

The role of Virgin Media O₂ Business and Samsung

If you’re working towards net zero and want to address the impact of your mobile technology, Virgin Media O₂ Business, in partnership with Samsung, can play a crucial role in helping you achieve your sustainability goals.

Samsung’s resilient, repairable and recyclable devices – specifically designed for reduced environmental impact and greater longevity – can help you align your mobile technology strategy with your broader sustainability initiatives.

To get started in estimating and limiting your environmental impact, try this carbon footprint calculator from Virgin Media O2 Business today.