The following is an excerpt from the 2022 Cisco Purpose Report, revealed on December 8, 2022.
Circular design means designing merchandise and methods that allow reuse, reduce environmental influence and useful resource use, drive innovation, and notice worth for our stakeholders. In fiscal 2021, we launched a design analysis methodology to assist us monitor progress towards our round design objective. In the preliminary yr of utilizing this technique, 13 % of latest product and packaging designs had been evaluated and scored in opposition to that methodology, 33 % of which met our round design standards. We are taking steps to additional embed the analysis course of into the product growth lifecycle.
For instance, Cisco’s NCS1K product household consists of controller playing cards, optical interfaces, fan trays, and energy provides. Given the complexity of this technique, considerate design for circularity is essential. The NCS1K workforce developed the system for a number of, prolonged lifecycles with redundant followers (one could be repaired whereas the opposite runs), simply replaceable modules, and a working hours counter that gives refurbishers with runtime knowledge.
One of Cisco’s round design focus areas is packaging and equipment. We are taking a detailed take a look at what equipment we are able to take away from normal configurations, and lowering our use of virgin plastics wherever potential. Recent improvements and their impacts in fiscal 2022 embrace:
- For many product strains, we’ve changed plastic with extra sustainable supplies, together with recycled paperboard and wax paper, and for energy cords, we changed plastic luggage with scannable wraps. 4M Meraki equipment shipped in paper-based packaging made from 70% recycled content material
- To cut back the quantity of unused equipment and keep away from waste, we added a “no power cord” choice to 1000’s of product configurations and likewise eradicated the disposable electrostatic discharge strap from the accent equipment for our enterprise merchandise. 205,000 energy wire shipments and related packaging prevented
- For a number of product strains, we changed foam packaging, one other plastic-based materials, with extra sustainable options, the packaging for the Catalyst IR8140 Heavy Duty Router being the primary answer at Cisco to make use of a fiber-flute materials instead of the froth cushioning sometimes required for heavier merchandise. 37,273 kilos of froth decreased throughout Cisco merchandise
- With the goal of reducing total materials use, we decreased using corrugate in our packaging by means of a number of initiatives, together with the cargo of merchandise in multipack packaging and the elimination of unused equipment and their related packaging. 700,000 kilos of corrugate decreased, equal to >1 million pizza packing containers
Embedding circularity from sale by means of product reuse
We know we’ve an vital function to play in how our prospects are assembly their very own sustainability targets. Customers are more and more contemplating as-a-service fashions and need to lengthen the lifecycle of their tools. In fiscal 2022, Cisco Capital launched Cisco Green Pay, a cost answer that makes it simpler for patrons to construct a sustainable know-how technique to achieve their ESG targets. It gives a path for patrons of all sizes to accumulate Cisco sustainable options. The program presents predictable funds for 5 years, with a 5 % incentive on tools on the outset, whereas Cisco retains possession. Our different long-standing packages centered on return and reuse, together with our remanufactured merchandise provided by means of Cisco Refresh, assist contribute to our prospects assembly their sustainability targets, whereas additionally serving to us make progress in the direction of our PACE Capital Equipment Pledge.
To be taught extra in regards to the progress we’re making to energy a extra inclusive future, go to our Cisco ESG Reporting Hub, the place you possibly can learn our 2022 Cisco Purpose Report.
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