Five ways Barco technology supports sustainability

AVI-SPL is committed to sustainability. Along with our own ESG and sustainable programs and targets, we work with partners with similar goals. These include like-minded partners like Barco. In this blog, we’ll explore Barco solutions that support sustainability goals in meeting rooms and control rooms.

First, let’s talk about what’s driving this renewed focus on more eco-friendly technology. Where is the significant shift toward sustainability in recent years coming from, and why does it matter to you?

• Increased consumer awareness: More and more consumers demand products and services that are more environmentally friendly and that bleeds into the workplace, too. PwC’s 2024 Voice of the Customer Survey noted that “Consumers are assessing producers’ sustainability practices through tangible attributes including production methods and recycling (40%), eco-friendly packaging (38%), and making a positive impact on nature and water conservation (34%).”
• Focus on employee experience: A recent Deloitte State of the Consumer survey indicated that 69% of employed adults want companies to invest in sustainability efforts. Companies can attract and retain top talent by promoting their ESG and sustainability programs and progress.
• Regulatory pressure: Governments across the world are implementing stricter environmental regulations. These new laws compel all businesses to adopt sustainable practices and track their progress. The United Nations reports that 62 countries and the EU introduced 485 policies targeting sustainable consumption and production shifts over the last four years.
• Technological advancements: With research and development, along with caring for the environment and employee well-being, technology providers have developed more energy-efficient and sustainable technology. AVI-SPL identifies which technology vendors have environmentally friendly policies and processes in our AVI-SPL Supplier Sustainability Matrix. Barco is featured here and has one of the most ambitious climate targets of all programs we track.

AVI-SPL and Barco’s commitment to sustainable solutions

1. Designed for longevity and circularity

Barco designs new technology from the ground up and considers end-to-end environmental impact from design to manufacturing to packaging and shipping. The company created a comprehensive environmental impact measurement process through its ecoscoring model. Products with a lower environmental footprint are marked with the “Barco Eco Product Label.” 

You can boost sustainability in meeting rooms by choosing Barco ClickShare conferencing and wireless presentation solutions.  

• Barco’s ClickShare CX-50 gen II, ClickShare Bar Core, and ClickShare Bar Pro wireless conferencing systems are carbon-neutral. 
• Every ClickShare product is designed with environmental responsibility in mind at every step of the product lifecycle. 
• ClickShare Bar emits less carbon than an average air conditioner or laptop across its entire lifecycle.
• ClickShare CX-50 2nd gen emits less carbon than your average coffee machine throughout its 5-year lifecycle 

While Barco products are designed with long lifespans, AVI-SPL can help ensure your devices perform at optimum levels during their lifetimes with proactive 24/7 support and managed services.  

2. Energy Efficiency

In meeting rooms

• ClickShare products not only comply with the strictest Ecodesign legislation (The EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation) requirements for standby mode, but further reduce it to half the mandated limit (*Based on power consumption test report from Barco’s lab).
• For instance, the ClickShare Bar range is 30% more energy efficient than competitive products in BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) mode.

In control rooms 

• Barco TruePix LED features an eco-power standby mode. It also has a long life span since it can be serviced for up to 10 years with LED batch-compatible tiles.
• TruePix-I, takes sustainability even further. Its flip-chip technology makes individual LEDs more efficient. The result is higher brightness (over 1000 nit) at a lower power consumption. This further reduces the TCO and the ecological footprint.
• Barco UniSee II video wall boasts a 20% reduction in power consumption compared to its predecessor, significantly decreasing its environmental impact and energy costs.
• Compared to typical LCDs, Barco UniSee II consumes 20% less power (on average, depending on the content ). These reduced power needs are driven by using energy-efficient mini-LEDs as backlight, vs. traditional LCDs with always-on backlights.
• Barco Rear Projection Cubes (RPCs) feature the powerful Laser projection system of the ODL series, which provides high contrast and excellent image quality, all with low power consumption.
• You can upgrade some rear projection LED video walls to RPC laser technology with available upgrade kits.

Proactive monitoring and management 

AVI-SPL Symphony software further supports your sustainability goals. Symphony users can extend product lifespans and reduce the total cost of ownership with automated device shutdown, remote monitoring of device health, and powering down when they are not in use. Symphony also supports a positive employee experience by resolving issues before they impact users.  

In addition, the software provides room and technology usage analytics to make intelligent decisions on technology investments and reduce wasted spend. 

3. Leverage recycled and non-hazardous materials

Using materials like post-consumer resin (PCR) plastics (derived from recycled materials that consumers have already used) in product manufacturing offers several significant sustainability benefits.  

PCR plastics help divert waste from landfills, reducing the environmental impact of plastic pollution and reducing the need for new raw materials. And, recycling plastics requires less energy than manufacturing new plastics from raw materials, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Using halogen-free printed circuit boards (PCB) also keeps hazardous waste, such as mercury, out of landfills.  

“We pay close attention to the materials used in our products: choosing for non-paint plastics and opting for halogen-free PCB where possible. We also focus on using recycled materials, all our manuals are printed on recycled paper but also the products themselves use recycled materials. From Button to Tray: every product uses up to 30% recycled materials.” – Barco

4. More eco-friendly delivery

Packaging and shipping are integral parts of the product lifecycle that can significantly influence a product’s overall sustainability score. For example, plastic packaging often has a higher carbon footprint compared to biodegradable or recyclable materials. Here are some highlights from Barco.  

• Barco has reimagined packaging for products like ClickShare CX-50 2nd Gen with recycled (90%) and recyclable (94%) cardboard. 
• For ClickShare Video Bars, 86% of the cardboard packaging is made of recycled materials, and 98% of its packaging can be recycled. 
• Packaging is reused between Barco suppliers as much as possible, drastically reducing waste at this step. 

Shipping weight and methods impact a product’s carbon footprint as well. Packing is designed to be as light as possible. Also, Barco’s primary transportation channel is by sea, followed by truck freight and air as a last resort.

5. End-of-life options that avoid landfills

Whether at the end of their service life or the end of their useful life, technology doesn’t simply disappear. Its material components live on, making proper, compliant disposal and recycling essential.  

Barco offers a ClickShare trade-in program that simplifies upgrading to the latest energy-efficient devices. This trade-in program aligns with best practices, including the WEEE directive, by providing an environmentally responsible way to dispose of your existing hardware.  

Additionally, AVI-SPL offers electronics recycling services during technology deployment as part of large room refresh projects. 

Create your sustainable workplace. 

You can create a more sustainable and employee-friendly work environment by evaluating your meeting and control room technology with an eco-friendly lens. Let AVI-SPL and Barco help you promote employee well-being and overall sustainability in your modern workplace. Contact us to get started today. 

This blog includes highlights from Barco sources, including: 

https://assets.barco.com/m/72c34aff78e71522/original/ClickShare-Sustainability-e-book-I.pdf 

https://www.barco.com/en/products/clickshare-conferencing-collaboration/clickshare-environmental-sustainability-workplace  

https://www.barco.com/en/product/tp12-i