Electronic waste in data centres is a big problem. A publicly traded Canadian company may have found a new way to handle it.
What’s happening:
- Toronto based Bitcoin mining and high performance computing company Hut8 (NASDAQ: HUT) has launched a first of its kind effort to recycle outdated hardware and generate carbon credits in the process
- The new recycling initiative aims to bring Hut8 significantly closer to becoming completely carbon neutral
How it works:
- Hut8 partnered with electronic waste recycling company ERS International to recycle and re-use electronic hardware that was no longer necessary for their operations
- The electronics are kept out of traditional landfills by finding ways to responsibly recycle them or sell them to a third party to be re-used
- Carbon credits are then generated based on every one metric tonne of carbon dioxide that is successfully diverted from landfills
By the numbers:
- Hut8 was able to successfully recycle 813,425 pounds of out dated ASIC miners, cables, power supply units and other hardware
- Through recycling or finding ways to re-use those electronics, Hut8 was able to generate 7500 verifiable carbon credits
The intrigue:
- ERS International is working on innovative ways to upcycle electronic waste by re-engineering new products from hardware that would otherwise end up in landfills
- So far, they’ve been successfully able to turn electronic waste into products such as plastic lumber benches and other material items
