What is the IT department doing to reduce the negative impact of IT?
Workplace
Reduce: extend equipment life
Reuse:
- Laptops that are still good are reissued
- Student computers can be resold
Refurbish: equipment is made fit for use again by the manufacturer and is then supplied to other parties.
Future: Sustainability will be included in new laptop requests: such as the ability to replace batteries, screens and HD.
Printing
Reduce: current printers are configured with the most energy-efficient options. This applies to both the devices themselves and the default print settings.
Reduce:
- With upcoming replacement print fleet reduce 50% of Multifunctional printers
- Investigate use of ecofont (reduces ink by up to 50%)
Recycle: switch to recycled paper (from August 2026)
Data storage
Reduce:
- Purchase of energy-efficient equipment with long(er) lifespan
- Avoid double storage within IT systems as much as possible
Future: Making data use transparent within VU and stimulating cleansing.
E-Waste
Reduce:
Use equipment for longer
- Workstations
- Servers
Waste (reduction) requirements for new tenders
Reuse: laptops to buyer for refurbishment or parts
Recycle: e-waste policy for reuse/recycle materials
Future: update e-waste policy to current standards.