Embracing Sustainability

Sustainability has become an increasingly important topic across industries and companies. Not only do sustainable practices have a positive impact on the environment, but they are often cost-efficient for businesses too. When it comes to data cabling solutions, the industry has shifted to greener systems and materials. 

Many data-cabling companies have moved their focus to using sustainable materials and finding the most energy-efficient solutions. You’ll also find that some data cabling companies that provide cable removal and cleanup services participate in recycling initiatives. 

What does this mean for businesses looking to find a network data cabling solution? If you decide to hire a data-cabling company, you should consider whether they embrace sustainability in their practices. With greener materials and systems, you can save money and adopt more socially responsible policies for your business.

What Are Network Data Cabling Systems?

This type of system uses cabling and hardware to transfer data through a shared network. For businesses, this looks like the physical IT infrastructure that connects all of your business’s electronic devices to a network. So, for an office space, all computers will need to access the network for connectivity. 

Having a robust network data cabling system is essential for all modern businesses. Without it, employees won’t be able to do their jobs properly. For example, slow networks can drastically impact businesses’ productivity levels. A slow network might happen if the network doesn’t have the required bandwidth needed to support all users and devices. 

To avoid these connectivity issues, businesses will need to find efficient network cabling solutions. Generally, it’s the best idea to work with experienced IT data cabling companies that can work with a business to find a customized network solution that optimizes efficiency. 

However, along with efficiency, these companies can also help businesses achieve a greener future. Whether a business is looking to enact more sustainable policies or wants lower energy bills, a professional data cabling company can find the best efficient and sustainable network solution. 

Why Is Sustainability Important in Network Cabling Solutions?

For many businesses, one of the most important parts of adopting a network data cabling solution is efficiency. Businesses want to run their operations smoothly, so productivity levels stay high. When productivity levels remain high, a business can thrive. 

Additionally, most businesses realize the value of adopting sustainable policies. Not only does it help the environment by reducing e-waste, lowering energy consumption, and decreasing a business’s carbon footprint, but sustainable practices are often future-proof and may lower operating costs. 

The best network solutions combine efficiency and sustainability together. The result is a high-performing network that relies on less energy. If your business is interested in a greener future, you’ll want to work with an IT company that uses sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems. You should also consider IT companies that participate in recycling initiatives as this can also help the environment. 

Sustainable Materials

If your business is looking toward a greener future, you’ll want to consider outfitting your workspace with sustainable materials. Traditionally, data cables have been made out of copper. While copper has many benefits–particularly in the renewable energy sector–this type of material can have a negative impact on the environment. 

Copper has been used in cabling as it can transmit electricity, bend easily, and be recycled. For these reasons, it has been the preferred choice for data cabling for some time. Though copper does have its advantages, it’s not quite as sustainable as other types of materials. The process of mining copper pollutes the air, affects biodiversity, contaminates water, creates large amounts of waste, and has an overall large carbon footprint.

Recently, fiber optic cables have become popular due to their efficiency and sustainability. The fiber material is made out of glass. Instead of sending electricity through the cables (like copper cables), fiber cables use beams of light to transfer data. Fiber cables are a much more sustainable material than copper, as the silicon dioxide used in production is abundant in the earth’s crust–no mining is needed. 

Producing fiber cables still impact the environment, as it takes resources and energy to create. But it’s significantly less impactful than the production of copper cables. For businesses that want to create a more sustainable work environment for their business and adopt socially responsible policies, opting for fiber optic cables over traditional copper cables can be a great place to start.

How Do Fiber Optic Cables Affect Network Performance?

For most businesses, it’s important to choose materials and network systems that offer efficient performance. Fiber optic cabling provides a lot of benefits over copper cabling. If your business is looking for the most efficient and capable option, you’ll likely want to go with fiber data cabling.  

Fiber cabling is not only sustainable, but it also offers great performance, including greater bandwidth capacity. If your business needs to transfer large amounts of data quickly, fiber optic cabling is a clear choice. Fiber cabling offers significantly higher speeds than copper cabling. For example, data transferred through fiber cables can approach the speed of light and have been tested and measured in terabits per second. In comparison, copper cabling typically can only reach 10 gigabits per second.

Besides offering high speeds, fiber optic cabling can also travel greater distances than copper cables. While both options have their limitations when it comes to distance, fiber cabling can potentially send data over 24 miles, while copper cables can only manage to send data about 330 feet. 

Fiber optic cables are also more durable and reliable than copper cables. For example, copper cables are likely to experience more interruptions and interference than fiber optic cables. Copper cables are susceptible to electromagnetic interference, as well as severe weather (temperature changes, moisture, etc.). Fiber cables, on the other hand, won’t be fazed by these issues that affect reliability. 

Additionally, fiber cables are much more durable than copper, lasting up to fifty years compared to copper cables’ five years. This durability means that fiber cables will be future-proof for your business. You won’t need to worry about the cost of replacing and upgrading them after only a few years.

Energy Efficient Infrastructures

Part of embracing sustainability in network data cabling is creating network solutions that use less energy. By designing systems that reduce energy consumption, businesses will be a step closer to a greener future. Additionally, by using less power, businesses will enjoy lower energy costs. 

How can a business use less energy in its network data cabling system? Part of the solution lies in the planning and design of the network system. An efficient system that reduces energy consumption includes proper temperature management of the physical hardware and data cabling. 

How can a business keep its data cabling system within a proper temperature range? There are a few different factors of the system design that can help regulate temperature. For example, in the data center, a business should select a design with proper airflow management. For best data cabling practices, businesses will want to avoid or get rid of any excess cabling. By reducing the amount of physical cabling, there will be more airflow in the area. In the same way, businesses should also carefully consider the length of chords and cables. Cutting these cables and chords to an optimal length will allow for more air movement. 

Businesses should also consider their air conditioning system. To keep the environment where the data cabling is stored, you’ll need to keep the cables cool and dry even in hot weather conditions. For best temperature management practices, you’ll also need to consider the layout. You should try to arrange the cooling equipment to ensure the best airflow so that no IT equipment will get overheated. 

Network Virtualization

Another way for businesses to reduce energy consumption is to opt for network virtualization. More and more businesses are turning to network virtualization because of its many benefits. When a business chooses to use network virtualization, it will improve the system’s scalability and bandwidth capacity, plus it will decrease the amount of downtime a network may experience. If you want your business to look toward the future, virtualization may be the best move. 

With this method, businesses can reduce the number of physical servers by combining multiple virtual servers onto one physical server. Since businesses will be able to use fewer physical servers, there will be a significant reduction in electricity consumption. In short, many businesses are turning to network virtualization as it is future-proof and efficient. 

Recycling Old Cables

Another way for businesses to participate in eco-friendly practices is to recycle old cables and wires. Old copper cables are recyclable, which is sustainable for the environment. Many data cabling companies offer cleanup and cable removal services to take care of this task for you, so you won’t have to worry about taking care of the recycling yourself.

When should businesses think about recycling cables? Copper cables don’t last forever. Businesses will likely need to replace them over the years as they become damaged or worn down. If you’re unsure whether it’s time to upgrade your network data cabling, you can get an expert opinion from a professional IT company. However, it will become obvious when the cables no longer function like they used to. 

Why is it important for companies to properly dispose of old or no longer used cables? Some electronics may contain hazardous materials that should not be placed in landfills. Additionally, copper is a recyclable material, which means that it will minimize waste. However, recycling electronics is a bit different than other types of recyclable materials, like paper or plastic. You shouldn’t discard cables into the blue recycle bin or dumpster. These types of materials will need to be carefully taken apart to be recycled. Because of this, you’ll need to take the data cabling to a proper e-waste recycling center that can handle this type of item. 

Removing and recycling old cables can be time-consuming and challenging for businesses. That’s why many organizations turn to network data cabling companies that also offer cable clean-up and removal services. At Network Data Cabling, RCB, we offer cable removal services to ensure that old cables are properly disposed of and out of the way for your business.

Choosing a Network Data Cabling Company

For many businesses, outsourcing IT needs is often the best solution. If your business is looking to adopt more sustainable practices and policies, considering your network data cabling solution is a great place to start. From network design and installation to cable cleanup and removal, IT services ensure that your business uses best practices when it comes to sustainability. Plus, businesses won’t have to spend time figuring out the right solutions for their needs when they choose to work with an experienced and knowledgeable data-cabling company.
At Network Data Cabling, RCB, we have years of experience across various industries. We also offer end-to-end IT solutions for businesses, making it supremely easy for businesses to maintain reliable and sustainable network solutions and IT practices. Whether you’re looking for fiber optic cabling installation services or you want to properly dispose of old cables, we can help lower your business’s carbon footprint and reduce overall energy costs. If you have questions about sustainability within network data cabling, get in touch with our team.