The concept of "Zero Waste" is gaining ground online as well. There is a form of invisible "garbage" that exists in the digital world but still leaves a physical footprint on the environment. It appears in duplicated files, gigabytes of obsolete data, newsletters piling up in spam folders, and email trash bins that are never emptied.
Digital or technological waste, often referred to as e-waste, is defined as the accumulation of unnecessary data, files, and records stored on devices and servers. According to data from the UN Global Compact-Spain Network, the volume of digital data was projected to reach 175 zettabytes (1000 terabytes) by 2025, compared with 33 zettabytes in 2018.
Email offers a common example. A standard email has an environmental impact that increases significantly when it includes a large attachment. That's why deleting old emails, emptying the trash folder, and uninstalling rarely used applications are, quite literally, acts of energy efficiency.
According to a Digital Cleanup Day report, 90% of the data created is never used again after three months, yet it is still archived and stored. Another analysis by Databerg estimated that 31% of stored corporate data has no practical value, despite carrying a significant financial cost.
Digital hygiene and efficiency in the digital environment
Digital hygiene is emerging as a way to manage digital resources more efficiently. It often begins with small individual actions that, when combined, can lead to significant savings. One example is switching electronic devices and OLED screens to dark mode, which can reduce energy consumption by between 20% and 45% compared with bright white displays, according to research published in the International Journal of Engineering and Humanities.
Routine cleanup of emails, files, cache memory, and outdated photos should also become a regular maintenance practice. These habits help strengthen what is often referred to as our "digital identity", while reducing the weight of advertising tools and unnecessary subscriptions. High-quality video has a particularly large impact, accounting for about 60% of internet traffic, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Reducing video resolution, when possible, can significantly lower the associated environmental footprint.
In this context, companies play an important role in managing e-waste and reducing its environmental impact while promoting a more sustainable digital ecosystem.
How? Through data audits and retention policies that preserve essential information and eliminate what is no longer needed. Many organizations are also turning to green software. The Green Software Foundation promotes the development of technologies designed to be more efficient from the outset. Companies are also advancing circular economy initiatives to properly recycle digital components and hardware, while training employees and equipping them with the tools they need to carry out secure digital cleanup as part of their daily work.
This is a growing field in the private sector, driven by international companies such as Greenly, Salesforce Sustainability Cloud, and Persefoni. Other firms, including Hukka AI and Sensoneo, are also improving data efficiency through artificial intelligence.
In the public sphere, initiatives such as World Cleanup Day promote digital cleanup as a simple action that benefits the planet. Some companies, such as Moeve, already integrate automated hard drive cleanup processes that remove unnecessary files while improving performance, operational efficiency, and the lifespan of workplace equipment. These initiatives prioritize repairing devices before replacing them.
Ultimately, a clean digital ecosystem is faster, more secure, and better able to balance technological progress with environmental stewardship.