Virgin Media O2 UK Cut 65 Tonnes of Plastic from Products and Services
Broadband ISP and mobile operator Virgin Media O2 has this morning announced that, since 2021, they’ve managed to remove 65 tonnes of single-use plastic from its operations and products. The move forms part of the company’s sustainability strategy (Better Connections Plan) and its goal of achieving zero waste operations and products by the end of 2025.
The figure includes 18 tonnes of single use plastic that has been removed from the equipment and tools used by engineers (e.g. cables, batteries, splitters, and wall outlets), while working with Technetix. In addition, they’ve also cut 48 tonnes from the packing of products sent to customers (e.g. routers and TV set-top boxes), in partnership with GXO – that’s a reduction of 94%.
Virgin Media O2 and GXO have also reduced the amount of single-use plastic used in the delivery of TV and broadband products between distribution centres, and created plastic-free packaging for customers to return unwanted kit, with the latter preventing around 22 tonnes of single-use plastic each year.
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Dana Haidan, Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, said:
“As a leading UK business, Virgin Media O2 is committed to minimising its impact on the planet.
That’s why we’re always looking at where we can remove waste and single-use plastic from our operations and products, and use materials which can be easily recycled.
It’s all part of our sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan, and our aim to become a zero-waste business by the end of 2025.”
All removed single-use plastic is recycled, reused or repurposed. The work is intended to complement their goal of achieving Net Zero Carbon (i.e. removing as many emissions as they produce) across their operations, products and supply chain by 2040.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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How much carbon did they release into the atmosphere by travelling and then faffing around making the “world” artwork pictured in that chalk field, though?
Did they make it, or was it photoshop?
If it’s Photoshop, they’ve put a lot of effort in as there’s a second image from a different angle here: https://greenretail.world/2022/05/25/second-hand-stigma-a-thing-of-the-past-virgin-media-o2-launches-eco-campaign/
Returning bulk packaging makes sense but returning packaging from end user items is more likely to generate more CO2 than it saves unless it is an engineer instal
How much Carbon did you release in the atmosphere by operatong all the equipment and services needed to post this comment?
Not that you care, but sprinkling calcium carbonate on fields can actually sequester carbon.
Not massive amounts, probably smaller that what is saved by making a million or so boxes have a little less plastic in them
CO₂ is plant food and currently makes up 0.04% of the atmosphere. When it reaches 0.02% plants and crops will fail triggering a global famine. We need to increase CO₂ not decrease it.
CO2 is used by the body to regulate blood pH. When it reaches low levels your blood runs the risk of becoming too alkali which will kill you. We need to start pumping CO2 into our homes.
I think 99.9999999% of people will understand this is a joke, but given the consequences of someone trying to do that – please don’t! I’m highlighting that just because something is good/useful in small quantities, it doesn’t mean increasing it is a good thing.
Which I’m sure most of you already understand – the breathtaking level of arrogance it takes to genuinely believe “my amateur research means I’m more knowledgeable than the overwhelming majority of scientists around the world who have dedicated their lives to studying this topic” is always amusing to me!
0.02%, or about the level it was for the last 10,000 years, prior to the industrial revolution?
Weird how the entire global ecosystem didn’t collapse…
Wasn’t the VM HUB5 and Stream boxes made with recycled plastics?