breaking down sustainable IT jargon: what you need to know

Circularity, SBTi, PUE, EPEAT, ITAD … the landscape of a more sustainable IT can often be filled with acronyms or technical jargon that can be confusing, even for seasoned IT professionals. You probably came across most of them if you read content on our blog or other specialized websites, so we thought it would be nice to break down the most common terms you’ll encounter in the field of circular IT, providing clear definitions to help you navigate the conversation with confidence. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

1. carbon footprint

In IT, the carbon footprint refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions generated by the lifecycle of technology products and services, from manufacturing to end-of-life. IT companies aim to reduce their carbon footprint by adopting sustainable practices such as using renewable energy, reducing energy consumption, and using circular IT infrastructures.

• Scope 1 Emissions: Direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the company. For example, if an MSP operates its own data centers and uses diesel generators for backup power, the emissions from burning diesel would fall under Scope 1.
• Scope 2 Emissions: Indirect emissions from energy purchased and used, such as those generated during electricity production for MSP’s data centers.
• Scope 3 Emissions: All other indirect emissions not covered in Scope 1 or 2 : this includes emissions from the manufacturing and transportation of IT equipment, the disposal of electronic waste, and even emissions related to third-party services used by the MSP, such as cloud computing or software solutions.

2. circularity

You probably saw this term a lot if you’re reading our blog articles, circularity encompasses strategies designed to maximize resource utilization while minimizing waste throughout production and consumption. This concept is often illustrated through the “Circularity Rs” which include several key practices:

• reduce

Need Reduction: Evaluating whether a new product is genuinely necessary. For instance, consider if existing networking equipment suffices instead of upgrading to the latest model.

Design Reduction: Manufacturers create products that require minimal resources, promoting efficiency from the outset.

• repair

Repairing emphasizes extending the lifespan of a product by fixing issues rather than opting for a replacement. This practice helps keep items in use longer.

• refurbish

Refurbishment focuses on revitalizing products by replacing damaged parts and cleaning them up. While refurbished IT hardware may not always appear as new, it can be restored to a like-new state. The extent of refurbishment can vary based on the original condition and may or may not have manufacturer support. (At Ynvolve, we always provide you with warranties on our circular hardware)

• remanufacture

Remanufacturing involves taking an existing product and processing it to restore it to like-new condition. In the IT sector, companies like Cisco Refresh undertake this, ensuring that remanufactured items often undergo rigorous testing, replace faulty components, and come with warranties comparable to new products.

• repurpose

Repurposing gives existing hardware a new function beyond its original use. Instead of discarding servers, storage, or networking gear that no longer fits one environment, it can be adapted for another—such as turning a former enterprise server into a testing environment or edge computing device. This creative approach reduces waste and extends the value of equipment, especially when combined with strategic staging and configuration.

• recycle

Recycling is considered the least favorable option in the circularity hierarchy. It involves repurposing materials from used IT equipment; however, this process typically results in significant energy and carbon loss. While recycling definitely has advantages over landfill disposal, it lacks the ecological advantages associated with refurbishment or remanufacturing. Currently, only about 20% of electronic waste (e-waste) is recycled, with many products unsuitable for this process.

3. ecoefficiency

Ecoefficiency in IT involves creating more efficient technologies that use fewer resources and produce less waste. This could include developing hardware that consumes less energy or using software to optimize the performance of existing systems, reducing the need for frequent upgrades.

4. Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)

EPEAT is a global rating system for assessing the environmental impact of electronic products. Devices that meet EPEAT standards are designed to be more energy-efficient, contain fewer toxic materials, and are easier to recycle or refurbish.

5. end-of-life (EOL) management

End-of-life management in IT refers to the processes involved in disposing of or repurposing hardware that is no longer in use. This could include recycling, reselling, or refurbishing old equipment to extend its lifecycle and minimize its environmental impact.

6. energy-efficient computing

Energy-efficient computing refers to practices and technologies that reduce the amount of energy required to perform IT operations. This could include using hardware with better power efficiency, optimizing data center cooling systems, or using software/AI to balance workloads and minimize unnecessary power consumption.

7. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)

ESG represents the principles of environmental, social, and governance factors that define corporate responsibility. ESG is used to assess and report on sustainability performance. It is often used as synonym of sustainability. This framework encompasses efforts to tackle climate change—such as minimizing waste and enhancing energy efficiency—promotes social welfare through fair compensation, equal employment opportunities, and contributions to the community, and upholds high ethical standards in business practices.

8. sustainability reporting

Sustainability reporting in IT refers to the practice of tracking and publicly disclosing a company’s environmental and social impact, such as its energy usage, e-waste generation, carbon emissions and fair labor practices. Many companies now include sustainability reporting as part of both their corporate social responsibility initiatives and their legal obligations such as CSRD.

9. e-waste

E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to discarded electronic devices and hardware, such as computers, servers, phones, and other equipment. The improper disposal of e-waste can lead to environmental harm, as many devices contain toxic substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium. Responsible recycling or repurposing e-waste to reduce its environmental impact contributes to more sustainable IT practices. These are the creative ways old smartphones are saving rainforests | World Economic Forum.

10. IT asset disposition (ITAD)

ITAD refers to the safe and responsible disposal of IT equipment. This includes data destruction, refurbishment, and recycling of old devices. ITAD services help businesses manage their end-of-life IT assets in a way that complies with environmental regulations and minimizes waste.

11. material recovery

Material recovery in IT involves extracting valuable materials such as gold, silver, and rare earth metals from discarded electronic devices. By recovering these materials, the IT industry can reduce the need for new mining and lower its overall environmental footprint, which is also called urban mining.

12. microgrids

Microgrids are localized energy systems that generate clean, self-sufficient power, primarily through solar photovoltaics (PV), replacing costly and carbon-heavy electricity from the main grid. By incorporating battery storage, these systems enhance the flexibility of energy use, leading to lower costs and reduced carbon emissions. Advanced system controls and smart algorithms optimize the operation of local energy plants, determining the best times for energy usage or storage. Additionally, microgrids improve energy resilience by ensuring a reliable power supply during grid outages or extreme weather events.

13. Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)

PUE is a metric used to measure the energy efficiency of a data center. It is the ratio of the total energy used by the data center to the energy used by the IT equipment alone. The closer the PUE is to 1.0, the more efficient the data center is, as this means most of the energy is being used for computing rather than for cooling or lighting.

14. renewable energy

Renewable energy in IT refers to the use of sustainable energy sources, such as solar, wind, or hydropower, to power data centers and IT infrastructure. Many companies are shifting toward renewable energy to reduce their carbon emissions and meet sustainability goals.

15. Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

SBTi is dedicated to driving climate action in the private sector by helping organizations set scientifically grounded emissions reduction targets. As a key partner in the Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign, SBTi encourages companies to commit to net-zero targets that align with limiting global warming to 1.5°C.SBTi validates the targets companies submit as an external third party.

16. sustainable data centers*

*’Sustainable data centers’ are a concept where the facilities are designed to minimize their environmental impact. This includes using renewable energy sources like solar or wind power, optimizing cooling systems to reduce energy usage, and implementing circular IT practices to extend the life of servers and other hardware. As with all ‘sustainable’ labels, there is debate about the actual sustainability of data centers.

17. sustainable procurement

Sustainable procurement refers to the process of purchasing IT products and services that have a minimal environmental impact. This includes choosing energy-efficient devices, opting for circular hardware, and selecting vendors that prioritize eco-friendly practices.

18. zero-waste IT

Zero-waste IT aims to eliminate e-waste entirely by ensuring that all IT equipment is either reused, refurbished, or recycled. This approach seeks to keep electronic products out of landfills and reduce the need for new resource extraction.

conclusion

Navigating the world of sustainable IT can sometimes feel like deciphering a secret language, but now you’ve got the keys! Understanding these terms isn’t just about staying informed, it’s also helping you make smarter choices for your business and the planet. With sustainability becoming a major selling point, it’s easy to fall into greenwashing, whether intentionally or not. By knowing what really drives circular IT, you can spot the difference between genuine impact and empty buzzwords. So next time someone throws “PUE” or “ITAD” into the conversation, you’ll know exactly what they mean—and why they matter.