Innovation

Belkin’s innovation includes using recycled materials in their products as well as using renewable energy. In their products, they incorporate materials that are easily recycled, such as copper, aluminum, and tin. This innovation emerged as Belkin wanted to incorporate their goals for financial success with a commitment to the environment. Additionally, there has been an increase in demand for recycled and sustainable products in the current market. As e-waste has become a pressing environmental issue, it was important that Belkin prioritized consumers’ concerns. Belkin’s goal was to align people, planet, and profits, or as Ernie Robers calls it, “golden opportunities.” 

Company leadership, product design, and supply chain teams played a key role in incorporating these initiatives. Consumer surveys were utilized to demonstrate the demand for recycled products. This innovation deeply reflected Belkin’s mission. Ernie Roberts stated that “We want to do the right thing, but we also want to stay in business to be able to do the right thing,” regarding Belkin’s innovations. In its essence, Belkin wants to be able to make a sustainable profit while also creating sustainable products.  

Inspiration

Belkin’s journey toward sustainability is a blend of strategic business ideas and a commitment to environmental stewardship. Their original idea to switch to renewable energy came from the realization of delivering both environmental benefits and strong financial returns due to the various tax rebates. “After the initial investment, we get our energy for free from the sun,” explained Ernie. This realization helped drive Belkin’s broader approach of finding ways where environmental conservation and business success could align.

The motivation behind Belkin’s larger efforts, like partnering with responsible e-waste recyclers or adopting post-consumer recycled materials, was centered on a deeply held belief that corporations must lead by example. As Ernie mentioned earlier, “We want to do the right thing, but we also want to stay in business to be able to do the right thing.” This philosophy has encouraged Belkin to uphold environmental values in every stage of its product development and supply chain management.

Belkin’s drive for innovation is also shaped by real-world feedback and market opportunities. When customers started asking for more sustainable products, Belkin realized that offering plastic-free packaging and increasing their use of recycled materials could actually help. This reinforced the idea that doing good for the environment could also fuel company growth. As Ernie put it, Belkin sees sustainability as an ongoing journey. Innovation isn’t a one-time goal rather, it’s something they’re committed to building on year after year.

Overall impact

Belkin’s sustainability initiatives, like adopting renewable energy, increasing recycled material use, and introducing plastic-free packaging, had a direct and positive impact on business performance. Solar energy investments reduced operational costs over time, leading to free energy after the initial investment had been paid off. In addition to this, Ernie stated that “ We had one customer in the EU that was willing to give us an $8M annual contract if we gave them products with plastic-free packaging and a percentage of recycled content in products." Using recycled materials and more environmentally friendly packaging opened new doors and created more revenue opportunities for the company. Furthermore, their leadership in sustainable practices strengthened Belkin’s brand reputation in the consumer electronics market, influencing retailers and competitors.

Belkin's efforts contribute to a broader cultural change towards ethical business. By partnering with organizations like Call2Recycle and promoting e-waste diversion, Belkin avoided the environmentally and socially destructive methods of its industry, especially in vulnerable developing countries. Their transparent reporting and collaborative ways of working also educated consumers and set higher industry standards, which influenced consumer expectations for ethical company behavior from competitors as well.

The environmental impact has been considerable. Belkin redirected massive amounts of e-waste from landfills and incorporated post-consumer recycled material into its products. Their shift to renewable energy sources and carbon neutrality for Scopes 1 and 2 directly reduced their carbon footprint. The company also continues to pursue innovation in recycled metals, such as copper, aluminum, and tin, with the expectation of creating future incremental environmental benefits.

In the short term, Belkin achieved cost savings through solar power, improved brand reputation, and won large client contracts by taking steps towards a more sustainable approach. They also created internal sustainability cultures, like e-waste drives and clean-up events, which helped engage their employees and create an environment centered around sustainability. 

We see concrete evidence of Belkin’s impact on the world in many different areas. Achieving carbon neutrality in scopes 1 and 2 was a big accomplishment for the company. This means that the company successfully offset the emissions generated from its owned and controlled sources. Another example of Belkin’s impact on the world was acknowledged when the company received an award from its parent company, Foxconn, for its impressive role in creating a circular economy. Belkin has also made a strong impact within its industry by setting the standard for plastic-free packaging. After Belkin introduced its plastic-free packaging, a major retailer requested that all other brands that they sourced from adopt the same standard, clearly highlighting the influence of Belkin’s sustainable approach.

Business benefit

Belkin’s e-waste recycling efforts have provided plenty of business advantages in terms of customer loyalty. Belkin focuses on tackling the rapidly growing issue of e-waste, which positions the company as a prominent player in environmental sustainability within the electronics space compared to other competitors. Their partnerships with recycling programs reduce the negative environmental impacts of their products and strengthen the brands' identity at the same time. Most consumers nowadays tend to support brands that align with their values, and Belkin aims to showcase their e-waste disposal program, which seems to resonate with the growing demand from consumers for corporations to act more responsibly. As a result, Belkin has seen a rise in customer trust and satisfaction, which is resulting in repeat business as well as beneficial relationships with other environmentally conscious retailers. 

Furthermore, Belkin’s e-waste efforts have also opened the door for new business opportunities and growth. Belkin makes simplifies access to recycling services through their website and third-party partners, ensuring that the company's customers have the tools to dispose of their old products correctly. This helps reduce waste and also creates further customer engagement with the brand. Because sustainability is becoming increasingly important, Belkin’s approach to e-waste helps the company stay competitive by attracting new clients. 

Social and environmental benefit

Electronic waste is one of the leading causes of waste due to how fast technology is developing. The constant evolution of technology in substantial ways, like a new phone, or small ways, like a new charger, all contribute to this problem. The way Belkin ensures e-waste is properly disposed of through various partnerships and education programs leads to a decrease in this type of waste. In addition, Belkin has elaborate processes to verify that all of their products are going through the proper procedure to be recycled while minimizing the spread of their toxicity. 

 With this priority of minimizing e-waste, they partner with various 3rd party companies that have vetted recycling programs where consumers can drop off their old products and guarantee they are disposed of properly. They are continuing this process by growing their resources on their website to make this as seamless as possible for their consumers. It benefits the company by limiting how much their products go to waste, educating the consumer, and allowing for e-waste minimization

Interview

Ernie Roberts, Head of Global Sustainability At Belkin