Digital Cleanup Day

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Digital Cleanup Day
Formation2020; 4 years ago (2020)
FoundersKevin Guerin
TypeCollective of associations: Institut du numérique responsable, World Cleanup Day France, Let's Do It World
PurposeRaising awareness of the environmental impact of digital technology through action
Region
Worldwide (more than 150 countries)
MethodsMobilizing businesses, local authorities, associations, schools, citizens, and individuals to organize Digital Cleanups every March to clean up their data, repair their digital equipment, or collect digital WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)
Websitewww.digitalcleanupday.org

The Digital Cleanup Day, also known as the "World Digital Cleaning Day", is an annual event launched in 2019 by Kevin Guerin to raise global awareness about the environmental impact of the digital industry. This initiative encourages people to take concrete action by cleaning up their digital data and/or giving a second life to their unused computer equipment that is lying around in drawers. The Digital Cleanup Day, formerly known as the Cyber World Cleanup Day, was launched in France in 2020. Co-hosted by the French Institute of Responsible Digital (INR) and the World Cleanup Day France (WCD), it quickly spread to other countries, including Italy and Switzerland. The first Swiss edition was a great success with the participation of many citizens and the collection of tons of digital data and electronic equipment for recycling[1] · [2] · [3].

The main objective of this initiative is to limit the environmental impacts caused by the increasing use of digital technologies. Although digital pollution may be invisible, it is very real. The impact of the digital industry on greenhouse gases exceeds that of civil aviation under normal circumstances. Therefore, it is important for each individual to take concrete measures to reduce their carbon footprint[4] · [5].

Digital technologies have a significant environmental impact, both during their manufacturing, which emits high levels of CO2, and during their use. Their energy consumption, as well as the weight of online activities, also add to their carbon footprint. Being aware of digital usage can therefore help reduce the environmental impacts of this industry. According to the Institute for Responsible Digital Technology, the digital economy and usage are responsible for 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which is as much as civil aviation.

The Cyber World Cleanup Day encourages all actors in the area to delete unnecessary computer files and emails stored on their computers and to give a second life to digital equipment by opting for repair or reuse instead of recycling. This initiative is supported by many cities and agglomerations worldwide, which are working together to raise awareness among the population of the importance of reducing the environmental footprint of the digital industry[6] · [7].

Genesis

The World CleanUp Day is an international event aimed at fighting pollution caused by littering. This global movement is launched every year by the Estonian non-profit organization, Let's Do It Foundation, which is an accredited member of the United Nations Environment Programme. It mobilizes millions of citizens in over 180 countries to clean up the streets, beaches, parks, and other public areas of the waste that is thrown there. This initiative aims to raise awareness among people around the world about the need to protect the environment and work together for a cleaner and more sustainable future[8].

In 2019, Kévin Guerin sought to raise public awareness on the theme of responsible digital practices through action. Drawing inspiration from the World Cleanup Day, he came up with the idea of CyberWCUD - a digital version of the World Cleanup Day, specifically focused on the CyberSpace and comparable to Black Friday/Cyber Monday. This initiative aims to reduce one's digital footprint with a simple and accessible action: cleaning up one's data. While the idea was initially proposed to the World CleanUp Day, it was not initially accepted. However, Kévin would later meet a responsible party from the Institute of Responsible Digital Technology who had a similar idea of "Cleaning up our data". He proposed a partnership between the WCD and INR to bring this project to fruition, with INR providing the technical expertise for a more environmentally responsible digital world, and the WCD providing communication and mobilization expertise. Kévin became the natural project leader to develop this program, and thus, the CyberWCUD was officially born. The COVID-19 pandemic provided the opportunity to launch eight easy recipes for a CyberCleanUp, focused on data cleaning, to the World Cleanup Day community, who were accustomed to cleaning up nature and were now confined to their homes.

1st edition

In September 2020, the first edition of the Cyber World CleanUp Day took place with its dedicated website, its first cleaning guides for emails and office files, and a series of webinars to address the lack of documentation and support volunteer organizers. The French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME) estimated in its study "The hidden face of digital" published in 2019, that the digital sector was responsible for 4% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, a figure that could double by 2025 with the significant increase in digital use[9]. The Cyber World Clean Up Day, an awareness initiative for responsible digital practices, was organized by the citizen organization World Cleanup Day France and the Institute of Responsible Digital on September 19th, 2020. Its purpose is to raise awareness about individuals' digital footprint and encourage its reduction[10].

2nd edition

In 2021, the digital cleaning project welcomes new volunteer resources and sponsors. The sheets from the previous year are rewritten, adding new ones such as social media cleaning. A new graphic charter and logo are created, as well as a redesigned eco-friendly website that aligns with the project's values. A network of ambassadors is established to promote the project in different areas.

Kevin leads two workshops to introduce the project to members of Let's Do It World (LDIW) during their global conference in January 2021. LDIW is the international organization that manages the World Cleanup Day and is the parent association of World Cleanup Day France. As a result of this, the association decides to include this project in its annual plans and sets the third Saturday of March as the annual date.

The first international digital cleanup events (in Italy, the Netherlands, and Morocco) are being organized, with some even translating the documentation into Italian, Dutch, and English[11]. In the global edition of the project led by Let's Do It World, France deleted over 50% of the data and was rewarded at the LDIW annual conference in January 2022[12].

The second edition of the Cyber World CleanUp Day took place from March 15th to 20th, 2021. Throughout France, thousands of citizens were invited to clean up their digital data. This initiative, led by the INR and World Cleanup Day France, aims to bring together businesses, schools, associations, local authorities, and citizens to sort and delete data stored in the Cloud, on company servers, and on digital equipment[13].

3rd edition

The third edition of this event was organized on March 19, 2022. The objective is to encourage 5% of the population to clean up their digital data and/or give a second life to their unused digital devices.

The event raised awareness among more than 430,000 people through the organization of 1,692 CyberCleanups, which resulted in the deletion of 1,927 terabytes of digital data, the collection of 2,298 digital devices for reuse, and the recycling of 5,472 kg of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment).

In 2023, the Cyber World Cleanup Day will change its name, logo, and project leader. It will become the Digital Cleanup Day and will be internationally supported by the Let's Do It World Association to facilitate its deployment worldwide while utilizing the documentation and expertise of the INR[14] · [15].

Environmental impacts

The production of a 2 kg computer requires the extraction of 800 kg of raw materials, while a 200 g smartphone requires 200 kg. Additionally, a large amount of water is used in the manufacturing process, with a significant portion of environmental impacts occurring during this phase as well as at the end-of-life of the equipment. The extraction of metals such as lithium, gold, cobalt, and copper involves the destruction of vast areas of animal and plant life, with mines that can be the size of 300 football fields and as deep as two Eiffel Towers. The water used in extraction is often discharged into nature without prior treatment, which has a significant impact on the surrounding biodiversity. Digital equipment is rarely recycled at end-of-life and is often piled up in open-air landfills, polluting soil and waterways. The carbon footprint of equipment once manufactured is irreducible. However, by extending the lifespan of the equipment, we contribute to limiting the production of new equipment. For example, the average lifespan of a desktop computer is six years, and we save the manufacturing impact of three computers each time we extend the lifespan of ten computers by more than two years. This saves approximately 33% of the equipment's environmental impact[16].

Initially, it was thought that the digital age would benefit the environment by reducing paper consumption. However, the carbon footprint of the digital industry has increased as digital consumption grows exponentially. To raise awareness among individuals, businesses, and communities about the environmental impacts of digital technology and encourage action to reduce these impacts, the French Institute for Digital Responsibility (INR) and Cyber World CleanUp Day France organized a day called "Clean Up Our Data" on March 20, 2021[17].

Mobilisations

For several years, citizens of Tourcoing have been mobilizing to clean up their streets and outdoor spaces. In 2021, these same citizens have decided to take action to clean up the digital environment[18].

This year, the city of Remiremont joined the Cyber World Clean Up Day movement by organizing a digital data cleanup among its employees. The city aims to raise awareness among schools and associations about the lesser-known but very real issue of digital pollution[19].

As part of its Climate Energy Plan, the Pays d'Uzès community of municipalities joined the Cyber World Clean Up Day in March 2021[20].

In September 2021, the town of Saint-Alban invited its residents to participate in an eco-citizen initiative to clean up waste from public spaces. On this occasion, the local government also suggested cleaning up digital devices to raise awareness of the invisible pollution during the Cyber World CleanUp Day (CWUD)[21] · [22].

The "Zéro waste Pays de Gex" association has launched a new digital action for the Cyber World Clean Up Day, following a zero waste Christmas tree contest. Due to the sanitary constraints limiting physical actions, the association suggested that participants perform a digital spring cleaning of their emails, computers, smartphones, and social media accounts[23].

As a player in digital research, the Laboratoire Parole et Langage (LPL) supported the International Day of Digital Data Cleaning[24].

For the second consecutive year, the Cyber World Clean Up Day is back in La Rochelle from March 15th to 20th, 2021. The stated goal by Marie Nedellec, responsible for digital transition at the municipality of La Rochelle, is to sort digital data[25].

The Saumurois Junior Chamber of Commerce has created a short animated film entitled "The Zero Waste Minute" to encourage people to tackle digital waste and offer a course on cyber-ecology. This association, which has the zero waste label, has adopted the theme to raise awareness of the importance of combating digital pollution[26].

As part of the digital component of its ambition, the city of La Rochelle and the Communauté d'Agglomération actively participated in the first edition of Cyber World CleanUp Day from September 14 to 20, 2020. The Jeune Chambre Economique and the Union des Clubs d'Entreprises de Charente-Maritime involved associations and businesses in the initiative[27].

References

  1. ^ "Plus Mel la vie : Pour le Cyber World Clean Up Day, faites le tri dans votre ordi !". Europe 2 (in French). 2021-03-18. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  2. ^ Ouest France. "Quimper. Le Cyber world cleanup day sensibilise à l'empreinte environnementale du numérique".
  3. ^ "Le Cyber World CleanUp Day débarque en Suisse - Heidi.news". www.heidi.news (in French). Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  4. ^ "À Quimper, le Centre des abeilles soucieux de l'empreinte environnementale du numérique". Le Telegramme (in French). 2022-03-07. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  5. ^ "Pollution numérique : l'heure du grand nettoyage de printemps !". France Inter (in French). 2021-03-14. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  6. ^ "Le Cyber World CleanUp Day: une journée des bonnes pratiques numériques". www.linfodurable.fr (in French). Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  7. ^ "Diminuer notre empreinte numérique". www.larochelle.fr. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  8. ^ Bluebob (2020-09-16). "Cyber World CleanUp Day : le grand ménage des données digitales ! -". FilGoodNews (in French). Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  9. ^ "Une journée pour nettoyer ses données numériques". Le Monde.fr (in French). 2020-09-19. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
  10. ^ Douville, Thibault. L’émergence des cyber-risques (in français) (2020/1, Tome 62 ed.). pp. 289 à 298.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  11. ^ "Digital Cleanup Day: It's time to take out the digital trash - Ahead in the Clouds". www.computerweekly.com. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  12. ^ "Association Calls on Croatians to Join Digital Cleanup Day". www.total-croatia-news.com. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  13. ^ "Cyber World CleanUp Day : Bilan de la deuxième édition" (in French). 2021-05-12. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  14. ^ nrj.fr. "Cyber World CleanUp Day 2022: nettoyons ensemble nos données numériques !".
  15. ^ "PARIS : Votre entreprise souffre-t-elle d'un excès de données ? » La lettre économique et politique de PACA" (in French). Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  16. ^ Note_methodologie_donnees.pdf (cyberworldcleanupday.fr)
  17. ^ "L'impact du numérique sur l'environnement… - Paris Côte d'Azur". pariscotedazur.fr. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  18. ^ "Tourcoing: le nettoyage numérique aura lieu le vendredi 19". La Voix du Nord (in French). 2021-03-14. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  19. ^ "Vosges. Remiremont : la municipalité part en guerre contre la pollution numérique". www.vosgesmatin.fr (in French). Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  20. ^ "La CCPU s'associe au Cyber World Clean Up Day". midilibre.fr (in French). Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  21. ^ "Emission de gaz à effet de serre : grand nettoyage numérique de printemps dans le Gard". France 3 Occitanie (in French). Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  22. ^ "Nettoyage de printemps des données numériques à Saint-Alban". ladepeche.fr (in French). Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  23. ^ "Pays de Gex : «Zéro waste» lance un nettoyage de printemps numérique". Le Pays Gessien (in French). Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  24. ^ "Le LPL fait son Cyber World CleanUp Day !". Laboratoire Parole et Langage (in French). Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  25. ^ "La Rochelle : avec le Cyber World Clean Up Day, il est temps de faire votre ménage... numérique". actu.fr (in French). Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  26. ^ F.T (2021-02-23). "Saumurois. La Jeune chambre économique invite à chasser les cyber déchets". Courrier de l'Ouest (in French). Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  27. ^ "Usages numériques : le territoire rochelais économise 73 tonnes de carbone". Le Petit Economiste (in French). Retrieved 2023-03-17.

See also

Related articles

External links

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