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GECA releases position statement on making recycled content claims

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03 Sep, 2024

This post was originally published on Sustainability Matters

Whether you’re a business, specifier or individual consumer, buying products made with recycled content can help keep materials out of landfills and groundwater, grow new markets, and encourage more manufacturers to use recycled materials and rethink product design. Minimising the consumption of virgin resources can save water and energy and reduce pollution.

Greenwashing harms brand value and can undermine credibility, creating scepticism around recycled content claims. It can also expose businesses to serious legal risks. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has prioritised greenwashing as a significant compliance priority. What you exclude can be just as meaningful (or misleading) as what you include — for example, claiming that your product is made from 100% recycled plastic yet failing to be upfront that plastic only makes up a small portion of the product’s overall ingredients.

GECA infographic outlining the ACCC’s 8 Principles to Guide Businesses’ Environmental Claims.

Recycled content claims relate to items containing a specific amount (by mass percentage) of pre-consumer or post-consumer recycled material. This excludes rework, regrind or scrap produced in the manufacturing process, which could be reclaimed within the same process that generated it.

GECA’s updated position requires all recycled content claims to include the following:

  • A precise percentage of recycled content that specifies the type of recycled material, such as glass, plastic, rubber or timber. A product may have two types of recycled materials — for example, 90% recycled plastic and 95% recycled timber — or only one, such as 100% recycled rubber.
  • A statement on whether the recycled material is pre-consumer or post-consumer material. If there is a mix of both, the percentage of each shall be specified.
  • Disclosure of any virgin material categories that make up the final product and their percentage total of the product by weight. Examples of virgin material categories may include inks, additives, dyes and adhesives.
  • The recycled content calculation for any claims must conform with ISO 14021:2016 and be approved by third-party assessors.
     

Critical tips for any business promoting a recycled content claim include considering the overall impression created, including visual elements. Ensure you’re not insinuating more than your claim covers. Is evidence of your claim and all associated information prominent and easily accessible to the public, such as on your product’s website page? And when communicating your claim, have you used clear language free from jargon?

An example of how to put GECA’s guidance on communicating recycled content claims into practice. For a larger image, click here.

Not all recycled products can be considered equal regarding the environmental, health and social impacts generated during manufacture, use and disposal. GECA’s Recycled Products ecolabel standard defines sustainable performance benchmarks for these products throughout their entire life cycle — making it easier for consumers and procurement teams to identify your leadership.

Top image credit: iStock.com/aydinmutlu

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Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Embedding environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks

Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks has become essential as businesses increasingly prioritise sustainability. IT operations contribute significantly to carbon emissions, energy consumption and electronic waste (e-waste). Organisations that embed environmental responsibility into their IT governance can reduce their ecological footprint, improve operational efficiency and strengthen their brand reputation.

Erica Smith, chief alliance officer and environmental, social and governance lead, Blue Connections IT, said, “Environmental stewardship supports financial performance, risk mitigation and brand differentiation. With rising energy costs, increased consumer demand for sustainable products and services, and growing pressure from investors and regulators, companies can no longer afford to overlook their environmental responsibilities.

“Poor sustainability practices in IT can lead to high operational costs, supply chain risks and reputational damage. Conversely, a proactive approach improves efficiency, attracts environmentally conscious customers and helps future-proof businesses against evolving policy and regulatory changes.

“Integrating environmental responsibility into IT governance integrates sustainability initiatives into decision-making systematically. Organisations can reduce waste, lower energy consumption and extend the lifecycle of technology assets while positioning themselves as responsible leaders in an increasingly climate-aware market.”

There are four key areas that present opportunities to embed environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks.

1. Device lifecycle management

A structured approach to managing the lifecycle of IT assets ensures devices are deployed efficiently, maintained properly and retired responsibly at the end of their useful life. Embracing a circular economy model, where equipment is refurbished, reused or ethically recycled, can significantly reduce e-waste and resource use. Companies that adopt this approach lower their environmental impact and unlock financial value by extending the lifecycle of IT assets.

Smith said, “Effective asset recovery strategies further support sustainability efforts. Integrating secure data erasure and refurbishment into IT governance policies lets businesses repurpose functional devices within the organisation or resell them to external buyers. Responsible e-waste recycling also supports companies to process materials ethically in instances where resale is not viable, reducing landfill contributions and preventing environmental contamination. The adoption of industry-certified data sanitisation methods also safeguards compliance with security and privacy regulations.”

2. Sustainable procurement

IT governance frameworks should prioritise the selection of technology vendors and partners committed to sustainable manufacturing, responsible sourcing and energy-efficient product design. This includes favouring IT hardware with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled materials and using minimal packaging. Additionally, employing Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) models optimises IT asset utilisation while reducing upfront investment and unnecessary hardware purchases.

Partnerships with sustainability-driven IT service providers can further enhance an organisation’s environmental impact. Working with partners that offer end-to-end IT asset management solutions, encompassing secure device deployment, certified data sanitisation and ethical recycling, simplifies the process of aligning IT operations with sustainability goals. Companies that prioritise environmental stewardship in their IT governance framework gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating their commitment to responsible business practices.

3. Energy consumption

Data centres, cloud services and enterprise networks require substantial energy resources, making green IT practices essential. IT governance frameworks should include policies to reduce consumption by optimising server efficiency, reducing redundant infrastructure and using renewable energy sources. Cloud providers with strong sustainability credentials can support carbon reduction initiatives, while virtualisation strategies can consolidate workloads and improve overall energy efficiency.

4. Employee engagement

Educating staff on sustainable IT practices, such as energy-efficient device usage and responsible e-waste disposal, creates a culture of accountability. Organisations that implement green workplace initiatives, such as responsible end-of-life disposal programs, reinforce their commitment to sustainability at all levels.

“IT governance must also align with corporate environmental, social and governance commitments. Companies can contribute to broader sustainability objectives by embedding environmental stewardship into IT policies, such as net-zero emissions targets and responsible supply chain management. Clear reporting mechanisms and regular sustainability audits aid transparency, letting businesses track their progress and demonstrate accountability to stakeholders,” Smith said.

Government regulations and evolving industry standards are increasingly shaping the sustainability expectations for organisations. Aligning IT governance frameworks with best practices for environmental stewardship keeps companies ahead of regulatory requirements. Proactive adoption of sustainable IT practices positions businesses as industry leaders in environmental responsibility.

Smith said, “Integrating environmental stewardship into IT governance frameworks is not just about meeting compliance obligations; it’s about futureproofing company operations and prioritising the broader environment. Taking a proactive approach to sustainability lets organisations drive efficiency, reduce long-term costs and contribute to a healthier planet. Businesses that lead in sustainable IT governance will be well-positioned for long-term success as environmental concerns continue to shape consumer and corporate priorities.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Petmal

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