At Runbox, our commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our operations and core values. As we continue to grow, we remain focused on our goal to provide sustainable communication services that make a tangible difference in reducing the environmental impact of digital communication.

By harnessing renewable energy, implementing responsible recycling practices, and embracing telecommuting, we aim to minimize our ecological footprint and having a positive impact on our planet while providing a secure and reliable email service. We believe that every action counts in the fight against climate change, and we are dedicated to making a positive impact for our planet.

We invite you to join us in our mission to create a sustainable future. Together, we can make a meaningful difference for our planet. 

Addressing Climate Change

The escalating effects of climate change – rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and the rapid loss of ecosystems – demand urgent, collective action to mitigate the damage to our planet. Technology companies, as major contributors to global energy consumption and carbon emissions, bear a unique responsibility to lead the charge in driving environmental sustainability. This need for energy will only increase with the use of Artificial Intelligence and cloud computing. 

At Runbox, we feel that climate change is the defining global challenge of our era, and therefore our entire service is based on the principle of sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint. Our Company Values and our Environmental Policy reflect our commitment to acting in an environmentally conscious and sustainable manner at all levels of our organization, and guide our operations as an email service provider. 

Runbox is a small and independent company, and while our direct impact on the surrounding ecosystems is minimal we recognize that every action contributes to the larger environmental picture. Our email services generate no emissions to air, water, or land, but we acknowledge that other aspects of our operations still have an ecological footprint.

We believe that even small impacts matter, as the cumulative effect of individual actions can lead to significant environmental outcomes—”many a little makes a mickle.” Furthermore, the example each of us sets may encourage others to increase their awareness and efforts as well, as eloquently expressed by the author Karen O’Brien in her book “You Matter More Than You Think“.

Our Commitment

For these reasons we are committed to combating climate change by reducing our energy and resource consumption. We believe in providing customers with secure, reliable services while minimizing the environmental impact of our digital infrastructure. We understand the significant impact our choices can have on the environment, and we actively strive to lessen our ecological footprint.

This commitment guides our operational decisions, ensuring that sustainability remains a central focus of our mission.  By setting an example, we hope to inspire other companies and individuals to take similar actions for a more sustainable future. 

Reducing Climate Change

As an organization and as individuals, we strive to mitigate climate change by minimizing our energy and resource consumption. We recognize the profound impact that our choices can have on the environment, and we actively seek to reduce our ecological footprint. This commitment informs our operational strategies, ensuring that sustainability remains at the forefront of our mission.

Renewable Energy

Norway is renowned for its renewable energy resources, with an impressive 87% of the country’s electricity generated from hydroelectric power plants in 2024. Norway sources the remainder of its energy from a combination of wind, solar and thermal energy. This abundance of renewable energy allows us to operate our email service in a data center that sources 100% of its electricity from these sustainable sources. Because our servers run entirely on renewable power, we significantly reduce our environmental impact.

This focus on renewable energy is vital, as data centers consume substantial amounts of electricity for data processing and cooling. Technology companies consume vast amounts of energy to power their data centers and digital services, and the sector’s overall energy demand continues to rise with the growth of cloud computing, AI, and other technologies. By choosing a hydro-powered infrastructure, we contribute to a cleaner energy landscape, reducing our carbon footprint, and align our operations with our commitment to sustainability.

We also recognize the significant environmental benefits of locating our data centers in cooler climates. By taking advantage of naturally lower temperatures, we can substantially reduce energy consumption, particularly for cooling—one of the most energy-intensive aspects of data center operations. Even when powered by renewable energy, the construction and upkeep of renewable energy infrastructure still produce carbon emissions, and these facilities have limited lifespans.

By minimizing our cooling needs, we help reduce the strain on these energy systems, potentially extending their longevity. This strategy not only lowers the environmental impact of our data centers but also contributes to a more efficient and sustainable use of renewable resources, supporting our commitment to a carbon-neutral future. 

Energy Efficient Data Center

Runbox’s data center is operated by Stack Infrastructure in a cutting-edge facility designed to meet the highest standards of security, efficiency, and sustainability. Located in Oslo, Norway, it is strategically powered by certified 100% renewable energy, primarily from hydropower, supporting Runbox’s commitment to minimizing our environmental impact.

The facility is equipped with advanced cooling systems and energy-efficient infrastructure, ensuring that its operations are both reliable and eco-friendly. Originally constructed for the Norwegian Government, he center is also designed with robust security protocols, including 24/7 surveillance, access control, and redundant power systems, ensuring maximum uptime and protection for the services hosted within.

With a focus on both operational excellence and sustainability, the data center plays a key role in enabling us to provide secure, privacy-focused, and environmentally responsible email services. StackInfra has several compliance certifications, including ISO 14001 and LOS Energy Norway 100% Renewable Energy Guarantee, making them the perfect fit for our operations. Read more about our data center here: StackInfra

Carbon Neutrality

The Runbox email service runs entirely on renewable electricity, and we are proud to offer a carbon-neutral service.  When our operations still result in greenhouse gas emissions, we actively compensate for them by doubling our efforts. By doubly offsetting the emissions associated with our operations, we ensure that the carbon footprint generated by managing our company’s services is fully neutralized.

This is achieved through investments in carbon offset projects that support global efforts to combat climate change. We accomplish this through donations twice the amount of our emissions to the Norwegian tree-planting initiative Trefadder. This not only offsets our emissions but also ensures a carbon-negative impact, furthering our commitment to sustainability.

Trefadder (“Tree sponsor”) is a Norwegian initiative to grow forests as a coordinated effort between local farms in Norway. Their work has the following main objectives:

  • Planting is based on scientifically verifiable effects.
  • Documented implementation and results.
  • Lower costs than international climate offsets.
  • Positive synergies for Norwegian farms.

We encourage other companies to compensate for more than their own emissions in order to help achieve the goal of reducing and not just curbing climate change.

Recycling Practices

Global electronic waste is rapidly becoming an environmental crisis, with millions of tons of discarded electronics contributing to pollution, resource depletion, and hazardous chemical contamination. 

Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond energy consumption. At Runbox, we prioritize responsible recycling practices for our outdated equipment. We reuse or donate obsolete servers whenever possible, ensuring that valuable resources don’t go to waste. When equipment can no longer be utilized, we return it to recycling centers that dismantle and recover components for reuse.

Components such as memory chips are repurposed in other products. Metals like copper, aluminum, lead, and gold are smelted and incorporated into new electronics. Any waste that cannot be reused or recycled is converted into electrical or thermal energy, which can be used for heating. By engaging in these recycling practices, we work to minimize our environmental impact. Read more about e-waste recycling in Norway here: Norsirk

At Runbox, we aim to minimize our reliance on single-use technology products as part of our broader sustainability efforts. These products contribute to significant environmental waste and resource depletion, often ending up in landfills after a short period of use. By prioritizing durable, reusable, and repairable technology solutions, we want to reduce e-waste and extend the lifecycle of our devices. We encourage choosing products designed for longevity, investing in more sustainable alternatives, and promoting practices that reduce the need for disposable technology. 

Read more about global e-waste statistics here: Global E-Waste Statistics  

Waste Management

In our Oslo, Norway, headquarters we benefit from an advanced recycling system that facilitates effective waste management. We diligently separate food waste, paper, plastic, glass, and metal packaging to ensure that materials are processed responsibly — both in our offices and our remote workplaces. This commitment to recycling not only reduces waste sent to landfills, but also promotes a circular economy where materials are reused and recycled effectively.

Read more about Oslo’s recycling program here: Oslo County Waste & Recycling Program and Waste Sorting Guide

Telecommuting

As an internet-based organization, we leverage telecommuting extensively in our daily operations. While our headquarters is in Oslo, our diverse team spans several continents. This allows us to tap into global talent without necessitating travel. By employing various online communication technologies—such as IRC, wikis, video conferencing, and, of course, email—we minimize our need for in-person meetings, reducing carbon emissions associated with travel.

This flexible work model not only helps us maintain a lower environmental footprint, but also enables us to assemble a talented and diverse team, regardless of geographical location. When we need to travel, we are mindful of the environmental impact of the energy we consume. To further reduce our carbon footprint, we offset all emissions from land, sea, and air travel.

Ethical Practices

Runbox is proud to be a member of the Ethical Consumer organization since 2020, which champions responsible and sustainable business practices. This membership underscores our commitment to ethical values, including user privacy, data protection, and environmental sustainability.

The organization evaluates companies based on a range of ethical criteria, and Runbox’s focus on renewable energy sets us apart in the tech industry.

This partnership reinforces Runbox’s commitment to sustainable practices and connects us with a community of like-minded organizations striving for positive change. As a member, Runbox is dedicated to continuous improvement and we encourage our customers to make informed choices that support ethical consumerism.

Support for Environmental Organizations

Runbox is proud to support non-profit organizations focused on environmental causes by providing free email services to those with an environmentally oriented mission. We believe in fostering collaboration and empowering organizations dedicated to making a difference. Read more about free email services and how to apply here: Free Email Services for Environmental Organizations

 

Projects We Support

We are committed to supporting initiatives that align with our core ethical values of sustainability, privacy, and responsibility. We actively collaborate with organizations and prioritize projects that contribute to protecting our planet and fostering a more sustainable future. From reducing carbon footprints to promoting the use of renewable energy, we strive to make a positive impact both in the digital world and on the environment. Below are the key projects we support as part of our ongoing commitment to a greener, more ethical future. 

Since 2008 Runbox has volunteered for Concerned Scientists Norway, an interdisciplinary, non-profit organization contributing to a more sustainable society. Concerned Scientists Norway (CSN) is a non-governmental organization comprised of researchers dedicated to addressing pressing environmental issues. CSN focuses on advocating for science-based policies to address climate change and environmental issues, and works to raise awareness about the urgent need for climate action and the importance of scientific integrity in policymaking. The organization is part of the global Concerned Scientists network, which advocates for independent scientific research and works to ensure that environmental decisions are guided by facts, not political or corporate interests. 

Runbox worked closely with cChange in developing their original website. cChange Norway is a Norwegian organization focused on addressing climate change through research, education, and strategic initiatives. cChange aims to increase climate awareness and accelerate the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon future. The organization plays a critical role in climate action in Norway and beyond, working with businesses, governments, and communities to create solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience.

Runbox supports Karen O’Brien for Quantum Social Change. Karen O’Brien is a climate scientist and professor at the University of Oslo, known for her research on climate change, social resilience, and climate justice. As an expert in climate adaptation and human development, O’Brien advocates for solutions that address environmental impacts and promote fairness, equity, and empowerment, particularly for marginalized communities most affected by climate change. Her research emphasizes the importance of community-led adaptation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and social transformation in building resilient systems. She has also worked with organizations like the IPCC and UNFCCC and currently publishes writings at Substack: https://quantumsocialchange.substack.com/

Runbox supports The Spaceguard Centre, a UK-based observatory in Wales focused on detecting and tracking near-Earth objects (NEOs), such as asteroids and comets, that could pose a threat to Earth. It plays a crucial role in monitoring potential space hazards and assessing impact risks. In addition to its research, the Centre is dedicated to public education and outreach, offering astronomy tours and educational resources to raise awareness about planetary defense. Through collaboration with international space agencies, the Spaceguard Centre contributes to global efforts to protect Earth from potential asteroid impacts.

Additionally, our team members independently support a variety of projects that reflect their commitment to sustainability, privacy, and social responsibility:

  • World Wildlife Fund, Norway
  • Trustees of Reservations, US
  • The Woodland Trust, UK
  • The Institute of Physics, UK
  • The Future In Our Hands, Norway
  • The Norwegian Society for Protection of Animals, Norway

Together, we can take action to reduce emissions, conserve resources, and create a more sustainable future.

For more information about our environmental commitments and policies, please visit our Environmental Policy and Commitment to Sustainability.