Information technology company Dell Inc. has reduced its facilities' carbon footprint by up to 16 percent, according to its 2012 Corporate Sustainability Report.

The report highlights the company's commitment to being an environmentally responsible citizen, as a member of clean technology advocate The Climate Group.

"In fiscal year 2012, we continued to optimize our own environmental footprint while developing new solutions and programs that make "green" easy for our customers," said Dell chief executive Michael Dell.

The I.T. company achieved its target to avoid 25 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions through improved product performance and energy efficient operations.

As part of its 3Cs (cube, content, curb) packaging strategy, Dell reduced its packaging size by 12 percent, increased its recycled and renewable content by 40 percent and ensured 75 percent of packaging is eco-friendly at "the curb side."

Significantly, the company reached its "zero waste" goal by recycling 98 percent of its non-hazardous manufacturing waste and more than 192 million pounds of "end-of-life" computer equipment.

"By reducing their equipments' packaging and its energy consumption and recycling end-of-life products, they are reducing the impact of the product at every stage of its lifecycle, while delivering value to clients," said Kirsten Jack, acting head of Smart Technologies, The Climate Group.

Other notable achievement of the company in terms of sustainable business include eliminating 20 million pounds of packaging by 2012; helping its customers avoid energy-intensive chillers by adding fresh air ventilation to its data center equipment; and replacing toxic element mercury with energy-saving light emitting diode or L.E.D. for its laptop backlights.

Achieving success in its sustainability goals is not an end but rather a beginning for Dell, saying that it will now focus on setting longer-term goals to increase the efficiency of both its supply chain and customer base.

"Dell wants to give people the power to do more, in an environmentally and socially responsible way," said Trisa Thompson, Dell vice president for corporate responsibility. – EcoSeed Staff