Sustainability
Commitments we can actually stand behind
No certifications we do not hold and no carbon figures we have not measured. These are the practices built into how we deliver.
Our position
Stated plainly, before the list
A lot of ESG content on technology websites consists of commitments without mechanisms and figures without measurement. We would rather publish a shorter, accurate page.
Define IT does not currently hold environmental certifications, has not completed a formal carbon assessment, and does not publish emissions or diversion figures. What follows is a description of practices genuinely built into how we specify, deliver and retire technology. When measured commitments exist, they will appear here with the methodology behind them.
To confirmIf Define IT holds environmental certifications, B-BBEE contributor status, enterprise or supplier development programmes, or measured sustainability data, supply the evidence and this page will be expanded with verified detail.
Practices
Where technology decisions make a measurable difference
Ten areas where the recommendation we make has an environmental or social consequence.
Responsible technology
Technology decisions carry energy, waste and social consequences. We factor those into recommendations rather than treating them as someone else's concern.
Energy-efficient infrastructure
Consolidation through virtualisation and hyperconverged platforms reduces the number of physical machines drawing power and cooling. Right-sizing avoids running hardware that is idle most of the day.
Cloud optimisation
Unused cloud resources consume energy as well as budget. Cost optimisation work — deallocating idle machines, right-sizing, scheduling non-production environments — reduces both.
Hardware lifecycle management
Equipment tracked, maintained and kept in service for its full useful life rather than replaced on assumption. Extending working life is the largest single lever most organisations have.
E-waste management
Retired equipment is securely wiped and passed to appropriate recycling or refurbishment channels rather than stored indefinitely or discarded.
Sustainable procurement
Where specifications allow, we favour equipment with better energy ratings and manufacturer take-back programmes, and we specify for longevity rather than the lowest purchase price.
Remote support and delivery
A remote-first support model removes a substantial amount of travel. Onsite attendance happens when the work genuinely requires physical presence.
Responsible disposal
Secure data destruction before disposal, with certificates where clients need them for their own records and audits.
Skills development
Technical skills are scarce in South Africa. Investing in graduate development and certification is both a business necessity and a contribution worth making.
Social impact
Supporting the organisations we work with in the public sector, education and healthcare is where our work has the most direct social value.