As the environment becomes an increasingly pressing issue for individuals and businesses facing greater pressure to make a difference, we look to the future for key sustainability trends that can help steer environmental efforts in a more positive direction.
Trends in sustainable development cover both micro and macro levels; Realizing that their individual efforts are not enough, people are calling on governments, organizations, and companies to also commit themselves to sustainable development initiatives.
As a result, there is a growing trend towards greater transparency and the setting of sustainable development goals.
While consumers are driving this change, companies must follow suit in order to compete and also reap benefits. There are several companies in the United States who have jumped on the bandwagon, including cable producers. In this guest post, we will look at the transformative steps taken by prominent Cable TV providers, such as Cox cable, to contribute to and incorporate the drive to sustainability to support a greener environment for generations to come.
Transition to Paperless Billing
With paperless invoices, also known as electronic invoices, the customer receives an electronic invoice by mail instead of a paper invoice. These paperless invoices are usually emailed to customers and are available on their online accounts.
Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will give you a discount of approximately $5 or above per month if you opt for paperless billing and automatic payments. Providers often advertise their rates in such a way that these discounts are already included.
So if you don’t sign up for paperless billing and automatic payment, your bill may be higher than you thought. Moreover, it is safer than getting a paper invoice; it protects the environment and helps you avoid fines!
Using Fiber Optic Cables
Fiber optic broadband is a type of broadband Internet access that uses fiber optic cables to transmit data. These cables are made up of thin glass or plastic fibers that transmit digital information using light pulses. Fiber optic broadband uses less power to transmit data than traditional broadband connections because fiber optic cables are made from materials that are less resistant to the flow of electricity.
Fiber optic broadband can help reduce the carbon footprint of several industries. For example, with faster Internet speeds and more reliable connections, telecommuting and videoconferencing can be executed seamlessly.
Reducing Emissions
Cable Internet Service Providers (ISPs), whose goal is to connect as many Americans as possible, have been putting more emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency in their business practices in recent years. From introducing more energy-efficient technologies and home appliances to creating energy-efficient specifications and testing new hardware and software, the cable industry is looking to not only help consumers but also avoid millions of tons of carbon emissions.
In particular, cable internet providers, including Comcast, Cox Cable, and Charter, have committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2035. These projects focus on two stages: the first focuses on direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the business, and the second focuses on indirect emissions from purchased electricity, etc.
Recycling Efforts
To reduce waste, ISPs have launched programs to recycle the coaxial cables used to build broadband networks. The cables consist of multilayer cables with an inner steel core, an insulating layer, and a conductive screen. While the complete breakdown of the cable used to be impossible before, many new companies have revolutionized this process. For instance, Echo Environmental of Carrollton, Texas, has developed a new solution to produce high polymer fractions from insulation and cladding “without hazardous chemicals or incineration”, allowing these materials to be returned directly to supply chains as raw materials.
How to Start Today: Pick the Right Provider
Picking the right provider can be tricky. However, when you focus on costs and packages offered etc. it is important to try to pick an environmentally conscious provider. To do that, simply keep in mind the following criteria:
- Pick an ISP offering fiber optical cables
- Check out their pro-environment policies
- Determine whether they are complying with environmental standards
If fiber doesn’t work for you, check with ISPs in your area. If possible, find smaller companies and ask them about their environmental practices. Knowing who you’re working with is a good way to start your journey toward a greener web. Even if you use a greener ISP and still use a lot of power elsewhere, you have to think about where you can save more power.
Conclusion
The more we depend on the Internet, the greater the impact on the environment. The Internet’s carbon footprint is a growing concern given the growing use of data centers, servers, and other network infrastructure. More and more carbon-offset companies are joining this increasingly popular global trend and investing in green projects to minimize their carbon footprint. So join the bandwagon by taking care of which ISP you choose.