Sustainability in workplace technology is often framed around materials and emissions. Important, yes. But the real impact starts with longevity.

In a world of short upgrade cycles, designing products that last is the most powerful sustainability decision you can make. Longer life cycles mean less waste, lower emissions, and stronger return on investment.

At Humly, sustainability is built into every step, from durable hardware and efficient software to smarter energy use and responsible packaging.

Because the most sustainable system is the one you do not have to replace.

Longevity should be top of mind for workplace product design

Sustainability initiatives in product design are often driven through regulations, and discussed in terms of materials or (carbon) emissions. While these steps are valid and viable, there is an appearance of afterthought to such strategies. At Humly, sustainability rings authentic as a principle built into development phase, versus an add-on at the end of the latent stages. It’s a principle that guides our development process and radiates through the product lifespan. It is a leading example of how we give back to society and create a real, lasting impact.

Humly was created with the belief that doing good business enables doing good in the world. That philosophy shapes how we design meeting room signs and booking technology for offices that are constantly evolving. In an industry where hardware is often replaced every few years, we take a different approach: making products that last and produce a reliable return on investment.

Built to Last – In Hardware and Software

Longevity remains the single most fundamental important sustainability factor. Every replacement cycle comes with a significant carbon cost, and they add up when reduced to a typical two-to-three-year cycle. Humly builds devices that remain relevant and reliable for a minimum of five years. They often last well beyond that timeframe, and sometime more than a decade.

This longevity is intentional. We start with high-grade components and slim designs powered through efficient software that won’t slow devices over time. Our award-winning hardware solutions, Humly Booking Device and Humly Room Display, perform consistently over time without forced upgrades or planned obsolescence. The longer a product remains useful and operationally sound, the greater the reduction in unnecessary production, packaging, waste, and emissions, and the greater its return on investment.

Smarter Energy Use in the Workplace

We also design with energy efficiency in mind. Humly devices are designed to consume power only when needed. Automatic sleep and wake functions ensure that screens are active during office hours and dormant when workspaces are not in use. This approach aligns with European regulatory standards that have inspired sustainability initiatives in digital signage, largely driven through automatic display control.

This approach also aligns with common sense – why use energy when no one benefits from it? When multiplied across large office installations, these small efficiencies add up, contributing to lower energy consumption without compromising user experience.

Sustainability is in the details, too. For large deployments, Humly introduced bulk packaging to reduce material waste and lower emissions related to transport and disposal. Installers handle fewer boxes, offices generate less waste, and the environmental footprint per device is reduced.

We also emphasise recyclable plastics, careful material selection, and responsible manufacturing practices that go beyond compliance. It’s part of an ongoing effort to improve year-by-year.

Accountability, Transparency, and Giving Back

Measuring environmental impact is complex, especially in global supply chains. While perfect data is rarely available, Humly actively calculates and compensates for emissions related to production, transport, office operations, and travel – using multiple climate initiatives to spread risk and maximize impact.

But our approach goes beyond carbon. Humly has a long-standing tradition of employee-driven charitable giving. Each year, team members choose organizations close to their hearts, reinforcing the idea that sustainability is as much about people as it is about technology.

In the end, sustainability at Humly is about more than compliance. It’s about responsibility, honesty, and long-term thinking. These are the tenets that inspire businesses to innovate sustainable solutions, and which have empowered Humly to create workplace solutions that supports both today’s offices and tomorrow’s world.

Sustainability is not about replacing products more responsibly. It is about replacing them less.

If you are planning your next workplace investment, ask a simple question: how long is it built to last?

Discover how Humly creates workplace solutions designed for the long run.

Because the most sustainable system is the one you do not have to replace.