4th March 2022 Packaging for the environment

How Lenovo is implementing environment-friendly packaging

Here at Exertis, we aim to always be mindful of our impact on the environment, and how we can change and improve our operations to lessen it. And we champion our vendor partners to do the same. Our partner, Lenovo, is a prime example of a brand that is considering its environmental responsibility. From bio-based packaging materials and designing lighter pallets, to reducing the use of packaging tape. Lenovo is dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of their packaging.

Environmental, social, and governance

Beyond their industry-leading technology solutions, Lenovo are thinking smarter about their impact on the planet. Their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts are focused on “a smarter view of value, for a more resilient way forward”. For Lenovo, this means creating solutions that are manufactured with innovative technology that minimises their carbon footprint, consume less energy to use, last longer, and maximise the use of recycled and recyclable materials, both within the products themselves, and the packaging.
Lenovo have identified five key areas where they can boost their sustainability:

  1. Sustainable packaging
  2. Energy conservation/carbon mitigation
  3. Innovative use of recycled materials
  4. Circular economy
  5. Social impact

Green packaging initiatives

To lower the impact of their packaging on the environment, Lenovo have introduced a number of green packaging initiatives. These include:

  • The introduction of 100% thermoformed cushions, allowing PCs to be stacked closer together and require less packaging material. This, in turn, also reduces shipping costs
  • Using 100% post-consumer moulded fibre (or paper pulp) packaging for many of their notebook product lines, which can be readily recycled in municipal waste streams
  • All Think product primary carton boxes now contain a minimum of 50% post-consumer fibre content. And they’re required to use the maximum available post-consumer material
  • 98% of ThinkPad products now use recycled cushioning material, with the printing on boxes done via flexography with water-based, non-toxic, RoHS compliant inks
  • The high recycled content foam used for server packaging contains a minimum of 65% recycled resin content
  • Lenovo are also working with suppliers to reuse packaging used for shipping between suppliers and Lenovo factories

Better for the planet

Lenovo have already begun to see the positive outcomes of their new packaging initiatives. Since 2018, they’ve been using an innovative, bio-based packaging made from bamboo and sugar cane fibre. This material is not only 100% biodegradable, it’s also lighter than previous packaging. And its strength characteristics enable design improvements that reduce overall packaging size.
This new packaging was initially used to ship memory cards, and one of Lenovo’s ThinkPad models. With the lighter packaging materials and package weight, the result was 6.7% less transportation CO2 emissions. As a result of this successful trial, Lenovo are now looking to expand their use of bamboo and sugar cane fibre packaging.

This isn’t the only area where Lenovo have seen success with their green packaging. Over a decade ago, they began using 100% recycled and recyclable packaging material. Instead of polystyrene packaging, they now encourage the use of moulded pulp, fibre, and low-density polystyrene (LDPE). Through this innovation, Lenovo have eliminated 3,100 tons of packaging consumption since 2008.

While it’s unavoidable that designing, developing, building, and delivering their devices will take energy, Lenovo are considering how they can maximise conservation and minimise greenhouse gas emissions. Their newest emission reduction targets have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), meaning they’re verified to support global scientific goals to reduce the impact on our planet. And in the years 2010-2020, Lenovo exceeded this first-generation target of a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, achieving a 92% reduction.

Better for society

It’s not just the planet that benefits from Lenovo’s sustainability scheme. They’re making sure they are making steps in a direction that benefits communities and people. Currently, Lenovo ThinkPad products use the Intel® Evo™ platform, powered by Intel® Core™ vPro® processors that are made with 100% conflict-free materials. But it doesn’t end there. By 2025, 75% of Lenovo’s products will be vetted by inclusive design experts to ensure they work for everyone, regardless of physical attributes or abilities. Also by this time, the Lenovo Foundation will have benefitted 5 million people worldwide.

Lenovo have made great progress in making sure their packaging helps to reduce the impact of their operations on the planet. But there’s still work to be done. Moving forwards, Lenovo are looking to further improve the environmental friendliness of their business by continuing to use greener, lighter packaging, implementing packaging specifications for suppliers, and looking into bulk and reusable packaging solutions.

View our Exertis top picks from Lenovo today at https://store.exertis.co.uk/lenovo