Cutting Hidden E-Waste from Digital Transformation Takes Knowledge and Time

In April 2018, the music video for 'Despacito reached five billion views on YouTube. The amount of energy spent viewing it was the equivalent of what 40,000 U.S. homes consume in a year.

Despite efforts to digitize and create less physical waste, e-waste produces a large carbon footprint as well. The digital transformation is hurting waste reduction efforts,  with 50 million tonnes of e-waste produced annually. This could double to 120 million tonnes by 2050,  according to the World Economic Forum. 

Aside from transforming how we utilize computer programs and music (without CDs), data centers and server farms can reduce their footprint by focusing on green energy as well. In addition, consumers can purchase from companies that are actively working to create a circular system for e-waste.

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