Microsoft has achieved a significant environmental milestone by reaching a 90.9% reuse and recycling rate for its servers and components in 2024, surpassing its 2025 zero-waste target a year ahead of schedule. This accomplishment is a testament to the company’s commitment to sustainability and circular economy principles.
Key Achievements:
- Circular Centers Expansion: Microsoft’s Circular Centers, established in regions including the U.S., Ireland, Singapore, and the Netherlands, have been instrumental in processing over 3.2 million components in 2024. These centers utilize machine learning to disassemble and repurpose hardware, reducing waste and emissions associated with traditional recycling methods.
- E-Waste Management: Collaborations with partners such as Western Digital and Critical Materials Recycling have enabled the recovery of critical raw materials from end-of-life hard drives using acid-free methods, achieving a 90% recovery rate and reducing emissions by 95% compared to conventional mining.
- Sustainable Packaging: In partnership with over 150 original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Microsoft has redesigned data center packaging to eliminate single-use plastics, diverting more than 2,500 metric tonnes of waste from landfills and recovering valuable materials.
Looking Ahead:
Microsoft’s progress in hardware circularity is a significant step toward its broader environmental goals, including becoming carbon negative, water positive, and protecting more land than it uses by 2030. The company’s continued investment in circular economy initiatives underscores its leadership in sustainable technology practices.
For more detailed information, refer to Microsoft’s 2024 Environmental Sustainability Report. (The Official Microsoft Blog)
