Happy Earth Day! In 2020, we announced that Microsoft will be a carbon negative, water positive, zero waste company that protects ecosystems—all by 2030. At Surface, we design products with the circular economy in mind, making sustainability a core part of our Surface product promise. Windows + Devices has set a goal for 100% recyclable Surface devices and product packaging by 2030.
Our newest commercial products, Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 for business, exemplify our commitment to designing all our products with sustainability in mind.
More recycled materials
Surface is developing initiatives to lower our carbon emissions by using more recycled materials in our devices.
With Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6, we’re introducing recycled aluminum to Surface devices for the first time. We recycle and then reuse aluminum manufacturing scrap in device production, allowing us to use lower-carbon, 100% post-industrial recycled aluminum for Surface device enclosures. The machining and finishing of metal enclosure parts and the final assembly of both devices now use 100% carbon free electricity.1
Surface Pro 10’s enclosure is made with a minimum of 72% recycled content, including 100% recycled aluminum alloy and 100% recycled rare earth metals. 2 A similar story is true for Surface Laptop 6--the enclosure is made with a minimum of 25.8% recycled content and includes 100% recycled aluminum alloy and 100% recycled rare earth metals.3
Both new devices contain more recycled materials than their predecessors--Surface Pro 9 and Laptop 5--reflecting our commitment to progress toward our 2030 goals with each new device.
Our packaging for Surface Laptop 6 contains 76% recycled content in wood-based fiber packaging. This percentage is 78% recycled content for Surface Pro 10.
Lower carbon footprint
A new page on the device Eco Profiles now provides information on lifecycle carbon footprint reductions. The lifecycle carbon footprint of Surface Pro 10 was reduced by 28% compared to a baseline (no interventions) and 22% for 15” Surface Laptop 6.4
More energy efficient
We strive to meet rigorous third-party ecolabels and Eco standards—all of our newest Surface Laptops and Surface Pros since 2019 are registered EPEAT® Gold5 (the highest rating level) and ENERGY STAR® certified.
Surface Pro 10 and Laptop 6 are our most energy efficient devices to date.6 Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 for business are 71% / 72% better, respectively, than the ENERGY STAR® limit.
Windows 11 also comes with more settings for power savings. Power efficient settings in Windows help extend battery life due to reduced charging cycles.
Where available, Windows Update can schedule installations at specific times of day where lower carbon electricity options are powering the grid, resulting in lower carbon emissions.7
More repairable
Increased device repairability8 can offer significant carbon emissions and waste reduction benefits.9 Surface continues to invest in this important space by designing products that are easier to repair with more replacement components and expanded device repair options.
Surface Pro 10 is our most easily serviceable Surface Pro ever and Surface Laptop 6 has more replaceable components than Laptop 5. Both feature a built-in QR code that provides convenient access to repair instructions. Clear icons in Surface Pro 10 identify the number of screws and driver types needed for key components.
We also have extended driver and firmware support to six years after general availability,10 delivering consistency for IT admins across device lifecycle management.
Easier carbon impact tracking
Companies can track their own estimated sustainability improvements driven by Surface devices with the Surface Emissions Estimator, now available on the Surface Management Portal. The Surface Emissions Estimator provides a dynamic way for commercial customers to gain insight into the carbon footprint of their entire Surface device fleets. The Estimator uses state-of-the-art carbon assessment technologies and lifecycle assessments to enable customers to calculate the estimated carbon impact of the in-market devices in the Surface portfolio.11
We’re proud of our progress to meet our 2030 goals. Sustainability is seen at every stage of our product life cycle--from transitioning to carbon free electricity in the supply chain, using recycled materials in product creation, to energy savings during use, and more repair options. At end of life, we make trade-in convenient and secure for our commercial customers in the USA at Microsoft Trade-in Program.
Learn more about sustainability at Surface and read Microsoft’s annual sustainability report!
Check out our feature on Microsoft’s Unlocked sustainability campaign.
References
1. Microsoft defines carbon free electricity (CFE) technologies as including technologies with zero direct emissions and biogenic technologies with life-cycle emissions equivalent to renewables. CFE technologies include wind; solar; geothermal; sustainable biomass; hydropower; nuclear; fossil with complete carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration (CCUS); and storage charged with CFE generation. Microsoft acknowledges that CFE technologies have indirect carbon dioxide emissions and these are accounted for in our LCAs. CFE transition in the supply chain includes the onsite generation and purchase of verified Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) by suppliers that are allocated to Microsoft-specific production volumes
2. Enclosure includes Bucket and Kickstand. 100% recycled aluminum alloy in Bucket and Kickstand. 100% recycled rare earth metals in magnets. Based on validation performed by Underwriter Laboratories, Inc. using Environmental Claim Validation Procedure, UL 2809-2, Second Edition, November 7, 2023.
3. Enclosure includes A Cover, C Cover and D Bucket. 100% recycled aluminum alloy in A Cover. 100% recycled rare earth metals in magnets. Based on validation performed by Underwriter Laboratories, Inc. using Environmental Claim Validation Procedure for Recycled Content, UL 2809-2, Second Edition, November 7, 2023.
4. The baseline (no interventions) scenario models the same product without any sustainability interventions in the production phase of the device: (a) no additional renewable energy in the supply chain beyond what is already modeled in the regional grid mixes from Ecoinvent v3.9.1, (b) the carbon footprint of materials and manufacturing processes assuming no recycled content or additional ecodesign interventions as of the date of Ecoprofile, and (c) the default US distribution, use, and end of life modeling assumptions of Surface Pro 10 for Business.
5. Please refer to the EPEAT registry for current ratings. Ratings can vary by country, may change over time, and products are eventually archived.
6. Based on comparison of ENERGY STAR® ratings
7. When devices are plugged in, turned on, connected to the Internet and where regional carbon intensity data is available from WattTime. See site for details.
8. Replacement components available through Surface Commercial authorized device resellers. Components can be replaced on-site by a skilled technician following Microsoft’s Service Guide. Microsoft tools (sold separately) may also be required. Availability of replacement components and service options may vary by product, market and over time. See [Surface service options - Surface | Microsoft Learn].Opening and/or repairing your device can present electric shock, fire and personal injury risks and other hazards. Use caution if undertaking do-it-yourself repairs. Unless required by law, device damage caused during repair will not be covered under Microsoft’s Hardware Warranty or protection plans.
9. Based on Microsoft-commissioned assessment of greenhouse gas emissions and waste impacts prepared by Oakdene Hollins in April 2022 comparing device replacement to factory repair and Microsoft ASP repair.
10. The extended driver and firmware support applies to devices that were made generally available in 2021 and later. See Surface driver and firmware lifecycle for Windows-based devices – Surface | Microsoft Learn for more details.
11. The Microsoft Surface Emissions Estimator is only available in certain markets and only applies to Surface devices currently for sale. Contact your Surface seller for more details.