Frankfurt, January 22, 2025. Around the turn of the millennium, Germany experienced a real construction boom for data centers and colocation spaces. Many of these facilities are still in operation today. However, the rapid development of information technology means that data centers need to be modernized or replaced at increasingly shorter intervals. Whenever an operator celebrates the groundbreaking of a new data center, the terms “sustainability” and “environmental protection” must not be missing. Reducing the CO2 footprint is therefore one of the most important goals when planning new facilities today. Decommissioned data centers in particular pose a challenge, as they often contain large amounts of hardware, infrastructure, and resources that cannot be easily disposed of. “The responsibility for sustainable disposal and reuse of components is therefore growing in both economic and ecological terms”, says Jerome Evans, founder and managing director of firstcolo GmbH.
Focus on Recycling
First, it is necessary to analyze the hardware of a data center. Many components, such as servers, storage devices, and network equipment, may still have a significant lifespan. “One option is to ‘refurbish’ these devices – that is, to recondition them and reintroduce them to the market. Companies that need to rely on cost-effective solutions benefit from used but technically flawless devices”, explains Evans. In this context, quality assurance and certification of the hardware are of central importance to ensure that the reused devices meet the required performance standards.
Another crucial aspect is recycling: Electronic waste in particular poses a significant environmental hazard, as many components contain toxic substances. Therefore, it remains essential for data centers to work with certified disposal companies that have the necessary expertise to safely separate and recycle the various materials. Metals such as copper, aluminum, and gold can be recovered from old devices and reused. Other materials, such as plastics and glass, are also recycled in an environmentally friendly manner. This not only minimizes waste but also reduces resource consumption. “In addition to hardware, there is also the possibility of repurposing a data center’s infrastructure. For example, the physical spaces can be redesigned for other purposes, such as co-working spaces or for housing other IT systems”, says Evans. However, repurposing requires careful planning and adaptations to the new requirements.
Environmental Protection and Social Responsibility
Last but not least, digitalization and the trend towards cloud technology are leading many companies to replace their own data centers with external solutions. In this context, decommissioned data centers can serve as edge computing locations, enabling data processing closer to end users. “Edge computing reduces latency times and can increase efficiency. However, this requires investments in the necessary technology and security to ensure data integrity”, explains Evans. The aspect of social responsibility can also play a role: Companies should consider the possibility of making their decommissioned systems available to the education system. Schools, universities, or non-profit organizations can benefit from donated devices and use them for training purposes or research projects.
The responsibility for decommissioned data centers thus offers opportunities that go far beyond their mere disposal. Through a combination of reuse, recycling, repurposing of infrastructure, and social responsibility, companies are developing a sustainable and value-creating approach to their resources. Also due to legal requirements, environmental protection and economic interests are no longer opponents but go hand in hand: “Sustainable planning along the entire lifecycle of a data center is essential to be economically successful. The data center industry relies on continuously finding and implementing innovative approaches to using its valuable resources”, Evans concludes.
