Today, approximately 9% of the world’s plastic is recycled. This low recycling rate highlights the

significant challenges in managing plastic waste and emphasizes the need for better recycling

infrastructure and practices globally. Cisco addresses plastic waste through its sustainability

programs, aiming to reduce plastic use and promote recycling as part of its environmental initiatives​

(EcoWatch)​​(OECD)​​(RubyHome)​. https://www.ecowatch.com/recycling-stats.html

Less than 2% of all philanthropic dollars are currently being spent to address the fight against climate

change. This small percentage underscores the need for increased funding and resources to tackle

climate change effectively. Enhancing investment in climate change initiatives is crucial for making

significant progress in mitigating its impacts and promoting sustainability

https://www.oecd.org/en/about/news/press-releases/2022/02/plastic-pollution-is-growingrelentlessly-as-waste-management-and-recycling-fall-short.html

Circular Solutions impact the enterprise-wide Circular Economy program by shaping and pioneering

technology solutions and services that enable circular economy value creation for customers. This

includes developing innovative products and services that facilitate reuse, repair, and recycling,

thereby reducing waste and enhancing resource efficiency. Cisco’s commitment to circular solutions

is integral to its overall sustainability strategy and efforts to promote a circular economy​

https://blogs.cisco.com/csr/stepping-up-our-work-on-circularity

Cisco uses criteria such as facility size and lab area when determining sites for ISO 14001

certification. This approach ensures that their Environmental Management Systems (EMS) are

implemented in locations with significant potential environmental impacts, allowing for effective

management and continual improvement of their environmental performance. Cisco’s commitment

to ISO 14001 certification is part of their broader environmental strategy to comply with

international standards and improve sustainability practices across their operations

https://advisera.com/14001academy/blog/2016/10/31/iso-140012015-how-to-set-criteria-forenvironmental-aspects-evaluation/

Greenhouse gases include a variety of gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, with fluorinated gases

being one of them. These gases are synthetic and used in various industrial applications but have a

high global warming potential. Cisco's Environmental Sustainability documents recognize the

importance of managing and reducing emissions of all types of greenhouse gases to mitigate climate

change.

In 2020, 100% of Cisco's manufacturing partners in mainland China set up programs to manage their

suppliers' environmental performance using the IPE Blue Map. This initiative was part of Cisco’s

broader effort to improve supply chain sustainability and transparency. The IPE Blue Map helps

identify and remediate environmental violations, ensuring that suppliers adhere to stringent

environmental standards. Cisco's commitment to environmental stewardship and responsible supply

chain management is detailed in their corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports and

environmental sustainability documents.

Companies are moving to a circular economy for several key reasons:

Increase Revenue: By adopting circular economy principles, companies can create new revenue

streams through innovative product offerings and services. This model encourages the sale of

refurbished or remanufactured products, which can attract cost-conscious customers and open new

market segments.

Cut Costs: Circular economy practices often lead to significant cost savings by reducing waste and

improving resource efficiency. By designing products that are easier to repair, reuse, and recycle,

companies can lower production costs and minimize waste disposal expenses.

Differentiate Themselves to Customers: Companies that embrace circular economy principles can

enhance their brand reputation and differentiate themselves in the marketplace. Consumers are

increasingly looking for sustainable products and are more likely to support companies that

demonstrate a commitment to environmental responsibility.

These reasons are supported by Cisco’s sustainability initiatives which focus on promoting a circular

economy, enhancing resource efficiency, and reducing waste through various programs such as the

Refresh and Takeback and Reuse programs. More details can be found on Cisco’s sustainability

webpage and their corporate social responsibility reports.

66% of customers are willing to pay more for products that are manufactured sustainably. This

reflects a growing consumer awareness and demand for environmentally responsible products.

Companies like Cisco leverage this trend by emphasizing their sustainability practices and

incorporating them into their product development and marketing strategies. This data is supported

by various consumer surveys and market research studies on sustainability p

​(Cisco Blogs)​​

(Impakter)​. https://blogs.cisco.com/csr/net-zero-methodology-yes-it-is-complicated-but-worthdoing-thoroughly

Cisco signed the UN Global Compact in 2001. This commitment aligns Cisco’s operations and

strategies with the ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labor,

environment, and anti-corruption. Cisco's ongoing support for the UN Global Compact reflects its

dedication to sustainability and corporate social responsibility, as stated in their corporate reports

and official announcements​(Cisco Blogs)​​(Good Equals Progress)​.

https://blogs.cisco.com/csr/powering-an-inclusive-future-a-message-from-ceo-chuck-robbins

Circular Design significantly impacts the industry-wide Circular Economy program by ensuring that

products and packaging are designed with circularity in mind. This involves creating products that can

be reused, repaired, recycled, and are resource-efficient. Cisco's approach to Circular Design includes

training their design community, implementing circular design evaluation methodologies, and

reducing the use of virgin plastics and single-use packaging. These efforts help minimize

environmental impact and drive innovation within the industry https://blogs.cisco.com/csr/howciscos-circular-design-principles-are-helping-to-minimize-environmental-impact