In this article
- Carbon jargon explained
- What does carbon neutral mean?
- What does carbon negative mean?
- Carbon neutral vs carbon negative – the simple difference
- How do businesses positively impact their carbon footprint?
- Why being carbon negative is good for business and the planet
- How IT recycling companies help businesses reach carbon neutrality
- Choose an ethical IT recycling partner
Carbon jargon explained
In today’s climate-conscious world, companies of all sizes are pledging to go carbon neutral, carbon negative, net zero, or even climate positive. But what do those terms really mean and how do they apply to industries like IT recycling?
For any business aiming to lead in sustainability and to stay ahead of tightening regulations, understanding the difference between carbon neutral and carbon negative is essential.
What does carbon neutral mean?
Carbon neutral refers to a position in which a business emits carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere but then removes or offsets an equivalent amount, resulting in a net overall impact of zero.
You can counterbalance carbon emissions with a method called carbon offsetting. For example, if a business produces one tonne of carbon, it can offset this by purchasing emissions reductions — also known as carbon credits or carbon finance. The funds are directed towards projects that reduce carbon emissions, either by enhancing existing technologies or developing new ones. There are two main types of carbon offsetting:
Carbon capture – capturing carbon from the atmosphere. The most common example is planting trees.
Carbon reduction – improving energy efficiency or creating alternative ways to produce energy, such as solar power or wind turbines.
Example: If a company produces 1,000 tons of CO₂ a year, but funds projects that take 1,000 tons out of the air, the organisation will have achieved carbon neutrality. Read more about how to become a carbon neutral business.
What does carbon negative mean?
Carbon negative, sometimes referred to as climate positive, describes a position in which a company removes more CO₂ from the atmosphere than it produces.
You should look at reducing emissions as much as possible, in the same way required for carbon neutrality, and by offsetting an additional amount so that the overall impact benefits the planet. For example, if a business emits 1,000 tonnes of CO₂ but removes 1,500 tonnes, it achieves a carbon negative balance of 500 tonnes.
Net zero is similar in principle to carbon neutrality but is expanded in scale. To achieve net zero means to go beyond the removal of just carbon emissions. Net zero refers to all greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere, such as methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and other hydrofluorocarbons.
Cutting carbon out of your operations altogether.
Carbon neutral vs carbon negative: the simple difference
In simple terms, your business has carbon neutrality when it cleans up its carbon emissions. If your business goes beyond cleaning up its own impact then it is carbon negative.
| Aspect | Carbon neutral | Carbon negative |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Balances CO2 emissions by removing or offsetting the same amount produced. | Removes more CO2 from the atmosphere than is produced |
| Goal | Net-zero carbon impact | Net-positive impact on the environment |
| Approach | A great first step: reduce emissions and offset the remaineder. | A bold leadership move: reduce emissions and offset more than is produced. |
| Outcome for the planet | No additional CO2 overall | Overall reduction in atmospheric CO2 |
| Example | Emit 1,000 tonnes and offset 1,000 tonnes. | Emit 1,000 tonnes and remove 1,500 tonnes |
How do businesses positively impact their carbon footprint?
How do businesses positively impact their carbon footprint?
- Step 1: Measure your organisation’s footprint
Identify the sources of emissions such as energy use, equipment, logistics, procurement, and other operations.
You can use tools to assess and measure these emissions, such as the Carbon Trust’s calculator or the MacKay Carbon Calculator on the UK Government website. - Step 2: Cut what you can
Improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, upgrade hardware responsibly, and switch to renewables.
- Step 3: Offset what can’t be cut
Invest in projects that absorb or avoid emissions, this is where carbon credits and offset certificates come in.
Why being carbon negative is good for business and the planet
Becoming carbon negative offers significant strategic benefits for businesses. It enhances reputation by demonstrating environmental responsibility, building customer loyalty, attracting sustainability-focused partners, and increasing investor appeal through strong ESG performance.
Your business can reduce its operational costs through energy efficiency, renewable energy adoption, waste reduction, and better resource management, while also mitigating future regulatory risks. You can also meet stakeholder expectations more easily, because your carbon-negative business is well-positioned for regulatory compliance, talent attraction, and investor confidence.
When you drive towards carbon negativity in your business, it also fosters innovation, encourages the development of sustainable products and processes, and strengthens long-term resilience in the face of climate change.
How IT recycling companies help businesses reach carbon neutrality
IT recycling isn’t just about handling old devices responsibly. It’s also about how the entire lifecycle of tech production, use, and disposal impacts the planet. That’s why organisations in this space are perfectly placed to support carbon goals.
Partnering with professional IT recycling companies is a smart move for businesses aiming for carbon neutrality. Here’s how this partnership makes a real difference:
Cutting manufacturing emissions
Making new electronics creates a lot of carbon emissions from mining raw materials to the manufacturing itself. By recycling redundant IT equipment through experts, businesses help recover valuable materials like gold, copper, and rare earth metals. This means less need to dig up new resources, which cuts down on carbon-heavy mining and processing.
Giving products a longer life
IT recyclers often refurbish and resell working equipment, keeping it out of landfills and in use longer. This circular approach means fewer new devices have to be made, lowering the carbon footprint tied to buying replacements.
Stopping harmful methane emissions
E-waste dumped in landfills can release methane, a greenhouse gas much worse than CO₂. Professional recycling makes sure these materials are handled properly, preventing those damaging emissions.
Tackling Scope 3 emissions
Businesses tracking their full carbon footprint need to consider Scope 3 emissions, which come from their supply chain. Managing e-waste correctly shows clear progress toward cutting these indirect emissions.
Supporting carbon offset credits
Responsible e-waste recycling often qualifies for carbon credits, which businesses can use to hit their overall carbon neutrality goals.
Meeting rules and getting certified
Working with certified IT recyclers helps companies comply with environmental laws and provides the proof needed for sustainability reports and carbon-neutral certifications.
Choose an ethical IT recycling partner
Zero Tech Waste is a UK-based ethical IT recycling partner helping businesses not just achieve carbon neutrality but go carbon negative. Leading by example, they are the first WEEE recycling company in the UK to operate as carbon negative. Offering Carbon Offset certificates on all collections as standard provides the evidence required to support sustainability goals.
If you need help securely recycling redundant IT equipment in the most planet friendly way possible. Contact Zero Tech Waste today by completing an online form or calling 0800 494 7778.
