Success Stories: Reusable Computer Delivery System Piloted at Ecology
Ecology employees have always pushed the envelope. Lately, they've been pushing the box - the computer box, that is.
The efforts of many determined folks to reduce packaging waste have paid off. Computer shipments will now arrive in reusable, returnable packing containers. The new delivery system was unveiled at the Lacey building's Earth Day celebration on April 21.
Ecology partnered with Dell Computers to design a computer-delivery system that would reduce waste and still protect the computers. As the pilot agency for Dell's new Eco-Delivery system, Ecology provided valuable feedback on the design of the system.
The Department of Information Services (DIS) joined the effort because it purchases many computers on behalf of state agencies. DIS was already working with Ecology employees to ensure that the multi-state contract for personal computers included environmental concerns, such as end-of-life management and reduction of hazardous materials.
Ecology partnered with Dell to devise a packaging system that reduces waste. Computer shipments now arrive in reusable, returnable packing containers. Ecology's innovative solution was recently featured in a presentation to Dell founder, Michael Dell.
Each new shipping container holds 20 small desktop units or eight mini-towers, as well as the keyboards, mice and cables. The container is returned to Dell and reused for the next shipment. Because an instruction CD and manual for each computer was unnecessary and was wasteful, one CD and manual set is provided for the entire shipment.
The containers take up half the space the boxes did and there is no packaging waste for employees to handle. Not all regional offices will be able to handle the containers, nor do they purchase in the same quantity as Headquarters. This system works for the Lacey building because of the loading-dock set up.
This project started when we e-mailed our Dell account executive, asking them to come up with a more environmentally responsible packaging system. With about 30 computers being delivered a month to the Lacey building, staff were overwhelmed by the amount of packaging waste. Back in early 2001, Ecology began recycling the polystyrene packaging material. This interim step helped motivate employees at Ecology to demand a better solution. Recycling polystyrene meant lots of employee time, storage space and expense, as it had to be shipped to Texas. This was clearly not sustainable.
Because of Ecology's commitment and persistence, our Dell account representative took our request to Dell executives and design staff to come up with a more sustainable packaging system. The Ecology project was recently featured in a presentation to none other than company founder Michael Dell! Because DIS negotiates the purchase of computers for most state agencies, they are supportive of this new system that helps agencies reduce their waste and expense from packaging. "Without the cooperation and partnership between Ecology, DIS and Dell, this would not have been possible," said Carol Fleskes, Administrative Services manager.
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