Green Funding Collaboration Tackles e-waste and Digital Equity
Quadrent and BNZ have partnered to deliver a New Zealand first - a green leasing solution for technology assets that will reduce e-waste entering landfills and provide digital technology such as laptops, smartphones and computer screens to communities around New Zealand.
The Quadrent Green Lease, backed by green lending, is a scalable way for large businesses to disrupt the traditional supply chain, procurement and ownership models associated with technology. It allows businesses to access technology via a lease and at the end of their lifecycle within that organisation, pass them back to Quadrent who recycle and repurpose the technology, as well as redistribute a portion of high-spec and high-quality tech devices into communities that need them most.
Globally each person generates about 7.3 kgs of e-waste each year, but in New Zealand that figure is nearly three times higher with every New Zealander accounting for 19.2kgs of e-waste each year-. In New Zealand having access and being able to use a laptop, a mobile phone and the internet is something most take for granted. However, 1 in 10 New Zealanders are excluded from performing these basic technology tasks.
Quadrent CEO, Martyn Masterson, says, "Digital technology holds the key to a more sustainable, inclusive and productive future.
"We’re giving large organisations a way to be at the forefront of innovation and digitisation while reducing e-waste and emissions and helping vulnerable communities around New Zealand get online and take part in the digital economy," he says.
Mr Masterson says Quadrent’s Green Lease gives an organisation peace of mind that its technology is appropriately managed through its lifecycle including ensuring it is securely wiped, environmentally repurposed, recycled or redistributed along with a full range of reporting that will comply with your cybersecurity and ESG policies.
BNZ Head of Sustainable Finance, Louise Tong, "We are finding new ways to incentivise businesses to contribute to a more sustainable future in New Zealand. We are thrilled to be partnering with Quadrent to help reduce e-waste and increase access to digital technology in vulnerable communities."
"Digital technology holds the keys to a more productive New Zealand economy, but such is the rate of innovation and product development that we all must play our part to reduce waste associated with it."
"Equally, it is important to support New Zealanders to increase skills and access to the online world as a lack of digital skills and access to devices such as laptops and smartphones is holding many New Zealanders back from opportunities to take part in our digital economy."
"Quadrent Green Leases provide the opportunity for laptops and smartphones to get into the hands of school kids and community organisations who are crying out for the tools to get online and take advantage of digital technology many of us take for granted," she says.
To achieve the maximum environmental and social impact, the Quadrent Green Lease is currently best suited for large organisations with more than 500 employees, but its CEO Mr Masterson says Quadrent is intent on finding new ways to expand its impact over time.
Source: Voxy
