Sustainability and ICT Hub

FRZ: A Pioneer in Circular Economy and Sustainable Digitalization

Project Highlights: ICT Circular Economy

• Reuse and upcycling of ICT hardware to extend its lifespan, reducing CO2 emissions and raw material consumption.
• Circular Economy Report to support companies, municipalities, and other organizations in achieving their sustainability goals.
• Joint Circular Economy Report at the regional level to enhance the impact of the Airport Region.
• Secure data deletion in Switzerland upon hardware return, with cashback at market value.
• Collaboration with trusted partners such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Klein Computer System AG.
  
  

Statements

• Rahel Kindermann Leuthard, Managing Director of FRZ: "The Zurich Airport Region demonstrates how economy and sustainability can go hand in hand."
• Daniele Kohler, Hewlett Packard Enterprise: "The ICT Asset Life Cycle Service makes a valuable contribution to sustainable development."
  
  

Contact Persons

• Sustainability Navigator and Overall Project: Rahel Kindermann Leuthard, office@flughafenregion.ch, T 044 839 10 10
• Secure Hardware Return and Data Deletion in Switzerland: Wolfgang Klein, nachhaltigkeit@klein.ch, T 044 802 72 72
• Sustainability Report, Upcycling, and Cashback: Bill Boda, bill.boda@hpe.com, T 043 547 24 03
• HP Device as a Service (DAAS): Wolfgang Klein, HP@klein.ch, Tel 044 802 72 72

Presentation at the ICT Roundtable: Rahel Kindermann Leuthard (FRZ), Wolfgang Klein (Klein Computer System AG), and Daniele Kohler (Hewlett Packard Enterprise, right).

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Second Life for Hardware

Increasing digitalization leads to a growing amount of electronic waste. Additionally, data centers consume approximately 25% of global computing resources due to their increasing relevance. FRZ addresses these challenges and aims to take a leading role in ICT sustainability through its projects. FRZ's primary goal is to give used ICT hardware a second life. By recycling and reusing this hardware, the demand for raw materials is reduced, and thus the environmental impact of producing new devices. Customers can also receive a Circular Economy Report that can be incorporated into their own sustainability reports. While the ICT sector accounts for around 2% of global CO2 emissions, the proper use of ICT can help avoid up to 18% of global CO2 emissions. This demonstrates the immense potential of digitalization in protecting and preserving our planet.

Project Details:

Project Goals: ICT Circular Economy with HPE and Klein Computer System AG

• FRZ establishes a sustainable ICT circular economy process for used ICT devices.
• FRZ aims to ensure a second life for used ICT hardware components, regardless of manufacturer.
• FRZ customers additionally receive a Circular Economy Report to support their achievement of ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) goals.
  
  
  

Presentation by Daniele Kohler, Lead Enterprise Business Architect, Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Detailed Statement by Daniele Kohler, Hewlett Packard Enterprise:

Daniele Kohler of Hewlett Packard Enterprise Switzerland and ICT Advisory Board explains: "This is about the outstanding importance of the ICT Asset Life Cycle Service from Hewlett Packard Enterprise & Klein Computer System AG for companies, policymakers, and FRZ members. This innovative and sustainable offering aims to promote the circular economy throughout the FRZ region based on the three central pillars of 'Environment', 'Social', and 'Economy'. This initiative is in line with the Swiss Federal Council's political agenda, which was adopted in June 2021 under the title 'Sustainable Development 2030 (SNE 2030)'.

In this context, the ICT circular economy makes a significant contribution to extending the lifespan of ICT devices through reuse and plays a pioneering role in sustainably reducing 'extraction of new raw materials', 'CO2 emissions', 'energy consumption', 'ICT waste', 'non-metals', and 'metal waste', among others. In addition, all FRZ members receive an 'ICT Circular Economy Report', which illustrates the added value of 'reuse' by quantitatively recording the 'environmental impact' and the savings achieved (both operationally and financially). This report also confirms the efforts of FRZ members in achieving their sustainability goals and underscores their commitment to a sustainable future."

Background and Status Quo of Current Projects

As mentioned, FRZ has initiated several concrete projects to promote sustainability. Several projects that emerged from workshops of the ICT Advisory Board are already in the final stages. In addition to the topic of circular economy, projects on topics such as volunteering and diversity in human resources are also being promoted. This roadmap was presented at the FRZ ICT Roundtable on September 26, 2023, at the Glatt Tower in Wallisellen.

ICT Circular Economy for FRZ

• The goal is to establish a sustainable circular economy process for ICT devices in the region.
• The implementation includes the ICT Asset LifeCycle Service, supported by Hewlett Packard Enterprise & Klein Computer System AG, to reuse used ICT hardware components regardless of manufacturer.
• A Circular Economy Report helps FRZ members achieve their ESG goals and promotes the Federal Council's 'Sustainable Development 2030' strategy.
• A pilot project is being conducted with the cities of Dübendorf and Kloten to market the concept and inspire other FRZ companies to join the initiative.
  
  

Social Commitment in FRZ

• The focus is on expanding volunteer work in the region – according to the motto "From FRZ, for FRZ" – encouraging employees of FRZ member companies to engage locally in community projects.
  
  

Sustainable HR Best Practices

• The goal is to promote sustainable HR practices to attract, retain, and train ICT talent in the region.
• The initiative supports SMEs in combating the shortage of skilled workers and promotes the hiring of career changers, retirees, and people with disabilities.
  
  

ESG Easy Report for FRZ

• Member companies receive an ESG Easy Report to better understand their ESG reporting obligations, potential risks in the supply chain, and their carbon footprint.
• The process is designed to be simple, with quick registration and a chatbot-based Q&A session that takes less than 20 minutes.
• Specifically, in less than 20 minutes, FRZ members learn to what extent they are affected by possible regulation or potential ESG risks from customers and the supply chain, including an estimate of their carbon footprint and ESG recommendations with areas for action.
• This is done in collaboration with [Partner Name].
  
  

Digital Sustainability Checkup

• A digital tool helps member companies take the first steps towards a more sustainable future.
• The tool should also help raise employee awareness and derive concrete measures to improve sustainability.
• This is done in collaboration with [Partner Name].
  
  

More Information | Contact: office@flughafenregion.ch

See also the following landing page.