Celebrating 45 years of Shields: here are the greatest green insights we’ve learnt along the way
As Shields marks its 45th anniversary, we don’t just celebrate our rich history, but also the invaluable lessons we’ve learned in making telecom networks more sustainable.
Over the decades, we’ve honed practices and developed strategies that help telecom operators manage their infrastructure and equipment with minimal environmental impact.
There’s so much more networks can be doing to get greener – so here are the six key insights we’ve gained over the decades, that can transform network management for greater sustainability. Each one is totally implementable when you know how.
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- Every item passes through our tests labs
Reuse is integral to getting greener, but before you can even begin thinking about redeploying any equipment, you need to test it. At Shields, we run all decommissioned equipment through our labs to sift out the assets that can be reused. It sounds a big task, but with the right partner behind you, like Shields, all testing can be completed without your network even noticing.
Robust testing ensures that potentially valuable and functional equipment isn’t prematurely discarded. And by extending the life of these assets, operators can reduce waste and avoid unnecessary manufacturing of new components.
Click here to find out more about our testing processes.
- Redeploy everything you can
Within your network or group, redeploying equipment wherever possible can significantly extend its lifecycle.
At Shields, we back things up with extended warranties on renewed equipment, demonstrating our confidence in the durability and reliability of redeployed assets. The results speak for themselves. Redeploying as much equipment as you can not only enhances sustainability but also optimises your investment in existing resources.
- Resell unusable equipment
If equipment can’t be used within your own network, resell it to the wider market as renewed equipment. Simple!
By collaborating with other operators to promote a circular economy, we can drive down costs and extend the life of telecom infrastructure globally. “Throw away” should never be the first option; instead, reselling helps maximise the value and utility of equipment, contributing to a more sustainable industry.
Want to join the resale revolution and benefit from the telecoms circular economy?
Click here to demo our efficient and easy-to-use platform
- Recycle the rest (but don’t forget to extract those precious metals)
Extracting precious metals from defunct equipment is another crucial practice during the recycling phase. This process reduces hazardous waste and allows valuable materials to be recycled and reused.
And the cherry on top? Doing so generates revenue from otherwise obsolete assets. Shields has long championed this approach, recognising the environmental and economic benefits of precious metal recovery. Facilitating the recycling and extraction process, plus resale, we’ve generated networks $500m in previously untapped revenues so far.
- Track your equipment, networkwide
Having clear visibility of where your equipment is, wherever it is in the world, is essential to reducing your carbon emissions and your costs.
Equipment gathering dust in warehouses isn’t just a waste of resources but also a financial drain. Effective tracking reduces the risk of duplicating purchases and ensures that existing assets are utilised to their fullest potential. At Shields, our advanced tracking systems help operators maintain efficient inventory management and optimise resource use.
- Report everything
Transparency in reporting sustainable practices is key. The more detailed and open you are about your efforts, the more you’re driven to improve, and the more your brand will be recognised for its commitment to sustainability.
Shields provides comprehensive data that supports reporting requirements, like those mandated by the Corporate Sustainability Directive. Transparent reporting not only boosts your company’s reputation but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement. It’s good for your brand and great for the planet.
Work with Shields for sustainable network management
At Shields, we have invaluable tools for telecom operators seeking to enhance sustainability. By facilitating the reuse or resale of equipment within your network or to the wider market, we can help reduce the need for new manufacturing, conserving resources and minimising environmental impact.
All it takes to embrace the principles we’ve honed over 45 years, and achieve greater efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability, is a conversation.
Together, we can continue to innovate and drive sustainable practices, ensuring a greener future for telecom networks worldwide. Here’s to the next 45 years of excellence and environmental stewardship!
Click here to book a free green telecoms strategy call