Moving Forward Together: Shaping a More Sustainable Future in AV

• Sustainability

Moving Forward Together: Shaping a More Sustainable Future in AV

In the AV industry, sustainability is no longer a buzzword — it’s a responsibility. As environmental concerns grow and technology evolves, we have a unique opportunity to lead with purpose. The decisions we make today, from how we build and support systems to how we manage waste and energy, directly impact the world we’re designing for.

Sustainability in AV isn’t a one-time commitment — it’s a long-term mindset. It’s about integrating smarter, more efficient practices into everyday operations — in our offices, on job sites, and throughout the technology lifecycle. 

Smart Sustainability Starts in the Workplace

Environmentally responsible practices begin well before strategizing and installing AV. Internally, teams are rethinking everything from office design to logistics:

• Hybrid Work Models: Flexible work-from-home schedules significantly reduce emissions caused by commuting and energy use. With fewer people on-site daily, organizations can reduce their physical footprint — and their carbon footprint.

• Energy-Efficient Offices: Motion-controlled lighting, smart thermostats, and efficient layouts reduce energy waste in the workplace. Environmental controls are optimized to reflect actual day-to-day occupancy, not assumptions.

• Team Efficiency & Daily Practice: Workflows are designed with sustainability in mind. AV professionals across departments share responsibility for reducing waste, optimizing resources, and continuously finding greener ways to work.

Sustainability in Practice: Inside Our Daily Operations

Sustainability isn’t just a project phase — it’s built into how we work, every day. Across departments, our team is focused on minimizing waste, maximizing efficiency, and making thoughtful decisions that support long-term sustainability.

• Remote Monitoring & Management (RMM): We offer RMM tools to monitor and support our customers’ AV systems without the need for unnecessary site visits. This reduces truck rolls, cuts down emissions, and ensures we catch small issues before they become major failures, extending the lifecycle of your devices. It also means our support is faster and more energy efficient.
• Preventative Maintenance: Regular system checkups and maintenance help us extend the life of every product we install. By proactively replacing worn parts and updating software, we keep gear running longer — reducing waste and improving client satisfaction.
• Onboarding Pre-existing Rooms: Often new clients have existing spaces that we didn’t design or install, but if they are functional (or have the potential to be) we make an effort to evaluate the equipment and remediate any issues so we can include these rooms as part of our ongoing support program—extending the longevity of devices rather than unnecessarily replacing or disposing them. 
• Swapping Out Parts (Not Whole Systems): Rather than replacing entire systems when something breaks or becomes outdated, we try our best to swap out individual devices when necessary. This helps avoid unnecessary e-waste and keeps functional gear in service.
• Mindful Product Lifecycle Planning: We select hardware with durability and longevity in mind, and we plan for the full product lifecycle — from installation to retirement. That includes tracking warranties, understanding upgrade paths, and preparing for responsible end-of-life disposal.
• Responsible E-Waste Handling: When equipment does reach end-of-life, we ensure it’s either repurposed or recycled through certified e-waste programs. Nothing gets tossed without a plan, and we always aim to give our technology a second life wherever possible.
• Pre-Built Systems: Most of our AV systems are pre-built in our state-of-the-art staging facility, reducing job site waste, extra packaging and duplicated materials. This streamlined approach improves quality control, cuts down on emissions from shipping, and ensures that any e-waste is handled properly before deployment.
• Efficiency-First Culture: Efficiency is second nature to our team. Whether it’s consolidating shipments, reducing energy use on-site, or repurposing extra materials, we prioritize smarter, leaner operations that are better for business — and better for the planet.

Smarter Design, Longer Lifespans

Modern AV systems have the potential to do far more with far less — but only when sustainability is built into the design. From smarter power management to intelligent automation, energy efficiency starts with thoughtful system planning. AVIXA reports that unattended AV systems — like displays and projectors left running in unoccupied rooms — account for a significant share of wasted energy in commercial environments. Swapping in high-efficiency hardware like LED or OLED displays, paired with occupancy sensors and automated shutdowns, can drastically reduce power draw without compromising functionality. Meanwhile, manufacturers are embracing recyclable materials, RoHS-compliant components, and modular product designs that prioritize longevity over replacement. Some are even moving toward circular business models like AV-as-a-Service to keep technology in use longer and minimize unnecessary production.

Tech That Works Smarter — and Greener

Technologies like IoT and AI are also playing a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable AV future. Smart buildings equipped with networked sensors can automatically dim lighting, adjust climate controls, and shut down AV systems when not in use — improving energy efficiency by up to 20% in some environments, according to WorkTech Academy. These connected systems also enable predictive maintenance and remote diagnostics, extending the lifespan of hardware and reducing the need for on-site service visits. Even the design and manufacturing process is becoming greener: as AVNation highlights, digital twin simulations allow engineers to optimize AV equipment before a single component is produced. Together, AI and IoT are not only enhancing AV performance — they’re powering a shift toward intelligent, sustainable system management that aligns innovation with environmental responsibility.

How SAVe is Changing the AV Ecosystem 

Sustainability in AV extends beyond internal operations. Organizations are aligning with broader industry movements to help create systemic change — including initiatives led by SAVe, the industry’s first nonprofit devoted to advancing the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in AV with a global impact.

We sat down with Julie Legault, the President of Techni+Contact and Canadian Ambassador for SAVe, to learn more about how the organization is taking on this important initiative as well as how other Canadian AV businesses can get involved. 

First, she emphasized that for this particular project, the focus is on Goal #12: Responsible Consumption and Production, which emphasizes circular economies, waste reduction, and longer product life cycles. SAVe is helping AV professionals apply this mindset through practical programs and collaborative education.

She then kindly walked us through what the various programs offered through SAVe look like and how other organizations can take advantage: 

SAVe Certification Program
Delivered at trade shows like InfoComm and ISE, this full-day certification workshop introduces AV organizations to key sustainability challenges, then helps them develop an actionable plan based on SDGs. Participants walk away with a framework, goals, and accountability measures. Explore the SAVe Certification

SAVe: A Second Life
This initiative connects organizations with vetted recycling and reuse partners to give AV equipment a second life. Instead of discarding old tech, companies can donate, repurpose, or ethically recycle it. Learn about Second Life 

Getting Involved
SAVe is volunteer-driven and open to participation at all levels. Organizations can contribute by sponsoring, certifying, joining a committee, or becoming a SAVe Ambassador. Get involved with SAVe

Getting Started

When we asked Julie what advice she had for AV companies who are at the beginning of their sustainability journey, her words were simple yet powerful: 

“Start from where you are.”

Many people get caught up in feeling like they need to completely overhaul their entire workplace strategy, and aiming for perfection causes panic and paralysis. Instead, choose 1-3 actions you can take today that are accessible, and build from there. 

Whether that’s paying more attention to your office’s recycling practices, or taking the time to do a quick walk around and turn off any lights, turn down thermostats and shut off any devices in rooms that aren’t currently being used—these seemingly little things add up to make a huge impact. 

(And if you don’t have the time or the resources to manually inspect all of your rooms everyday, think about automating that process with services like Remote Monitoring and Management)

Partnering with Manufacturers Who Lead with Purpose

Sustainability isn’t just about how we design and install — it’s also about who we choose to work with. That’s why we prioritize AV manufacturers actively advancing greener practices across their product lines and operations. Crestron, for example, was the first AV manufacturer to receive SAVe certification and continues to lead with energy-efficient system design, reduced packaging, and long-life products built for reuse. Sharp is another partner making meaningful strides, particularly through their E Ink displays, which use ultra-low power and offer a sustainable alternative to traditional digital signage. They’ve also embedded sustainability into their broader operations with long-term goals like Sharp Eco Vision 2050, which focuses on reducing emissions, conserving resources, and promoting circular practices across their product lifecycle. Shure is driving change with rechargeable battery systems (estimated to save over 100 million AA batteries by 2027), while also transforming their packaging to reduce waste and eliminate plastics. Working with partners like these allows us to confidently specify systems that align with our sustainability goals — and with those of our clients.

E-Waste Resources: Giving Technology a Second Life

Of course, sustainable AV doesn’t end at installation. What happens when technology reaches end-of-life is just as important as how it begins. End-of-life technology doesn’t have to go to waste. AV gear can often be repurposed, refurbished, or recycled — but only if it’s routed through responsible channels. Here are a few trusted programs and organizations that offer AV-specific recycling and reuse opportunities:

• Free Geek Toronto: Accepts donations of used electronics, refurbishes them, and distributes to community members in need.

• reBOOT Canada: A national charity offering pickup, data wiping, and device repurposing for schools and non-profits.

• Recycle My Electronics: Canada-wide drop-off network for secure and ethical electronics recycling.

These programs help AV organizations and individuals avoid landfill waste while closing the loop on technology.

A Greener AV Future Starts with Daily Action

Sustainability in AV is no longer optional — it’s essential. As integrators, designers, and technologists, we have a unique opportunity to reduce waste, extend the life of our systems, and shape more environmentally responsible workspaces. Every decision — from design to deployment to support — carries the potential to minimize impact and maximize value.

It starts with intentional action: building efficient systems, embracing remote-first service models, maintaining and upgrading instead of replacing, and being mindful of how and when products reach end-of-life. These aren’t trends — they’re the building blocks of a more responsible, resilient AV industry.

The tools are available. The partners and resources exist. And the momentum is growing — from within our teams, among our clients, and across the broader industry. Through efforts like SAVe, evolving AV standards, smarter technologies, and deeper collaboration, we’re seeing what’s possible when sustainability becomes part of the foundation, not just a consideration.

By staying curious, committed, and accountable, we can make a real difference in how AV supports both people and the planet.

And that’s a future we’re proud to help build.

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