“We are constantly investigating new technologies that align to our sustainability strategy, and the reduction in the waste generated by regularly replacing traditional exit signs was a key benefit that will help us achieve our resource efficiency goals,” Telstra InfraCo’s energy and engineering evolution manager Michael Williams said in The Fifth Estate.

Mr Williams and his team completed a comprehensive business case that considered Smarterlite’s exit signs, and alternative strategies based upon AS2293 electric-battery exit signs. Smarterlite estimates that this successful program will deliver Telstra InfraCo and its shareholders cost reductions of $8.6 million over 16 years, carbon reductions of more than 5,200,000 kilograms, reduced eWaste and plastic waste of more than 47,500 kilograms, and a huge 87% reduction in electricity usage. An additional benefit is a reduced need for contractors to enter its telecommunications facilities, reducing security risks.