Inside reMarkable
Fixing the real issue
It would be nice, and easier work, if there was a quick fix that would eliminate the emissions associated with building tech products. The truth is, like many things within the sustainability landscape, it’s a long road. For reMarkable, it starts with getting a grip on the real problems at play.
Mapping emissions is a longer process than one might imagine, because it involves tracing data down the line through our valued supply partners and their subsuppliers. Many of the components in a modern tablet also have lots of subcomponents with their own nuances.
In addition to that, there’s more we can do when it comes to effectively collaborating with our partners to make sure we’ve got a complete picture of the data. It’s crucial work, because without this information we’re unable to make meaningful and educated changes to our future designs.
"The main emissions created during the production of components come from energy usage, and so the more intricate and complicated each unit is, the more emissions it produces." says Magnus Gravem, VP Sustainability, reMarkable
"We’re fortunate in the sense that a device designed for a specific purpose, like focusing and taking notes, doesn’t have as many parts as other devices. That doesn’t mean we’re happy to leave things the way they are.
Can we reduce the complexity of our product? What can we do with recycled aluminum? What alternative components are out there, and how do they fit with our plans? That’s what we’re working on at the moment, and we’re really engaged in finding the answers."
It’s easy to associate more components, and more complexity, with innovation. Yet from a reMarkable perspective — especially in the context of sustainability — true innovation is more about simplification.
We’re interested in how we can reduce the number of parts needed, while also increasing their durability, and exploring designs that don’t generate as much unnecessary waste during the repair or refurbishment process.
