SUSTAINABILITY

Circular hardware and modular innovation A defining feature of Meta’ s sustainable design strategy is circularity. Modular rack architectures such as Open Rack v3 enable components to be replaced, upgraded or reused without discarding entire systems. This reduces both embodied carbon and electronic waste.

Retrofitting existing infrastructure is another key lever. By adapting racks for higher-density workloads, Meta reduces the need for new manufacturing while accelerating deployment timelines. The company reports that reuse strategies can lower costs, cut e-waste and improve operational efficiency.

Material choices further reinforce this approach. Meta now requires a minimum of 20 % recycled steel in racks and mandates that heat sinks are made entirely from recycled aluminium or copper. These requirements directly reduce the energy intensity associated with raw material extraction and processing.

The company also works closely with suppliers through its net zero engagement programme. By 2024, this initiative had expanded to 183 suppliers, representing more than half of Meta’ s supplier-related emissions, with 48 % already setting science-aligned targets.