As the minutes ticked by, the paper-dunking sound of files hitting the digital bin became oddly satisfying.
This was not a pop in A personalitys fantasy, this wasMiele Xs Digital Clean-Up Challenge.
But does keeping inboxes and OneDrive folders clean really have that big an impact on the environment?
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A whopping 83% of emissions come from production.
And we replace our personal devices much more regularly than networks and data centres replace their equipment.
Vergeynst also shared some simple ways we can lower our digital carbon footprint on a regular basis.
For example, turning off your video during a call when you dont need it.
Instead of sending an attachment, send a link when possible to lighten the weight of your emails.
And, most important of all, buy less and keep it longer.
During Vergeynsts presentation, we found out it takes 200 kg of material to manufacture a smartphone.
The Digital Clean-Up in itself is more like an awareness exercise.
The key element is about understanding that this is a part of something much bigger.
The goal is to change habits, says Vergeynst.
An example he posed is the emergence of AI.
Its such a transformative technology that can really make a difference in the workplace.
Of course, it also generates more emissions.
But that doesnt mean you shouldnt use it.
Its about understanding and choosing, rather than just saying its bad, Vergeynst explained.
And of course, company-wide initiatives will have a much bigger impact than individual efforts.
I took the opportunity to chat with a few participants to see how they got along.
You receive one when you check in and check out and thats a lot of notifications.
And all the monthly reports.
I just kept the ones from the last few months.
It definitely made Jouvence think more about her digital footprint.
I had no idea!
It definitely made me more conscious about what I save.
De Bresser and one of his workmates joined as representatives from their team.
And then it was time to announce the results… (drumroll)…
In an hour of digital scrubbing, the participants were able to cut 48 kg of CO2.
The equivalent of the production of two smartphones or 222 km in a car.
Its time that more companies started taking a deeper look at their digital carbon footprint.
Creating a benchmark and quantifying your results is an important way to motivate the team and track progress.
They can then use these benchmarks in the future as they continue to keep their digital space clean.
Much like exercising, nothing motivates new habits more than seeing the impact of your efforts.
