Dell's Case Study: An Overview Of Dell Computers

MISSION

Dell Computers has been around for nearly 35-years working in an industry that many would consider not to be environmentally friendly, the wholesale and manufacture of computer devices. However, Dell has set out on a mission to make their company more sustainable and socially and environmentally responsible. Dell’s goal is to create a “legacy of good” where whatever it takes to make their technology they do 10 fold as much good for, the planet, its people, and its communities.

HISTORY

1984 - Michael Dell found PC 's Limited with $1,000 and a game-changing vision for the technology industry (6).

2001 - Dell becomes the top computer systems provider worldwide (6).

2004 - Dell became the first company in the personal computer industry

• Assisting their suppliers in resolving environmental violations (9).

• Maintaining a strong adherence to United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGP) on human rights (9).

COMMUNITY

As with many global corporations Dell finds themselves in a unique position to effect meaningful change around the world. They are of the belief that making impacts goes above just writing checks, they are resolute to instill a culture of volunteerism and to use their technologies to create new opportunism and better futures for generations to come. They plan to do the following to achieve this:

• Apply their expertise and technology to help communities to grow and thrive, by helping 3 million youths directly as well as supporting 10 million people indirectly (10).

• Engage 75% of team members in community service by 2020 and provide 5 million cumulative hours of service (10).

OUTCOMES

While Dell still has several years left in their 2020 plan before they will begin to analyze the success and failure of each aspect, they have already begun to take steps in the right direction and can begin to glean measurable impacts.

Below is an image of some of Dell’s compostable product packaging, Bamboo based trays, molded-pulp cushions made from wheat and recycled paper, and a divider cushion made from mushrooms (Figure1) (3). From these methods Dell avoided using 31 million lbs. of packaging (1). • Dell now has the world’s largest recycling program with services in 83 countries. In total thus far they have recovered 1.6 billion pounds of electronics through a system where 85% of facilities and manufacturing waste is diverted from landfills. (7).

SUPPLY CHAIN

• By purchasing 41% of its electricity from renewable sources, Dell’s has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions created from their facilities and transport by 16% since 2015 (7). The image below shows the various Dell facilities and the different types of renewable energies they are generating or producing (Figure2) (4). By 2020 they aim to be running on 50% renewable energy sources.

COMMUNITIES

• Dell’s social outreach program and charitable giving is designed to benefit underserved youth. Their programs stretch from teaching kids to code, to building solar classrooms, and enhancing pediatric cancer care (7).

• Engage 63% of team members in community service and provided over 2 million cumulative hours of service (figure3)