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Cal Wilson / January 2, 2024

Is your business using the right Merchant Category Code?

Did you know there are more than 700 categories for merchant services transactions? Quite frankly, that’s just too many for you to have memorized to know if you’ve been assigned the best code by your payment processing services provider.  

In this article, we take a look at Merchant Category Codes, and the importance of ensuring your business is using the correct designation.  

What is a Merchant Category Code?  

A Merchant Category Code (MCC) is a four-digit code that is assigned to businesses by credit card companies and payment processors to categorize the type of products or services the business provides. The MCC is used for various purposes, such as determining interchange fees and helping with fraud detection. 

Some examples of the possible categories include bookstores, detective agencies, country clubs, clothing rental services, and more. They can get incredibly specific, and guaranteed, whatever it is your business or organization does, there’s an MCC for that.  

So why would you be on the wrong code? 

Errors happen all the time with business services, and MCC designations are no exception to that.  

For MCC assignments, mistakes can occur for various reasons, including human error during the application process, changes in the nature of the business that are not reflected in the code, or misunderstandings about the products or services offered by the business.  

Does it matter? 

Short answer, yes. It’s crucially important to your payment processing budget, and overall bottom line, that your business is using the correct MCC.  

MCCs give both issuers and payment processors the information they need to handle every aspect of a transaction. For this reason, they bear a substantial role in determining the fees you pay on those transactions.  

One area your MCC influences is your interchange rate – the fees paid by the merchant’s acquiring bank to the cardholder’s issuing bank for each credit card transaction to cover the costs associated with processing transactions. Interchange fees vary based on several factors, but part of that is your MCC. Your MCC helps determine your perceived risk of fraud and chargebacks, and as such, MCC designations that are considered lower risk tend to have lower interchange rates. 

Your MCC also determines whether or not you can charge cardholder fees, what level of chargeback protection you receive – especially on card-not-present (CNP) – transactions, and even how your business is taxed or required to report transactions.  

In conclusion
 

Chances are, unless you have the time to go through every possible MCC from your provider, you’re at risk of missing if you’re on the wrong MCC or interchange rates. 

As a business owner or manager, it’s not your responsibility to be an expert in the intricacies of merchant services rates and designations. You’re already an expert in the work you do every day.  

Working with an expert to ensure your MCC is correct and that your rate structure is fair and competitive is important to prevent overpaying.  

Cal Wilson / December 19, 2023

Making New Year’s resolutions that stick

It’s that time of year again. The time to start feeling the pressure and, let’s be honest, the pain of setting resolutions for the next 365 days. While having goals and plans in mind is a great practice, New Year’s resolutions have a reputation for falling through. Why is that? 

In this issue of the Pulse, we take a look at the longevity of New Years Resolutions, and discuss how to set goals that are more likely to succeed.  

Why do your New Year’s resolutions fail? 

If you’re one of the many who has suffered year after year with failed resolutions, it might start to feel like a statement about you, but you’re not alone. Whether your resolutions are professional or personal in nature, here are some of the reasons they might fail: 

  • Unrealistic goals. 
  • Lack of specificity. 
  • Too many resolutions.  
  • Poor planning. 
  • Lack of accountability. 
  • Impatience. 
  • Poor adaptability. 
  • Lack of motivation. 
  • Failure to form new habits.  
  • Negative mindset.  

Of course, life also happens. External events and anomalies can always get in the way, despite your best intentions and efforts. A fitness goal faithfully followed can easily be ruined by an unrelated injury. Sometimes, it’s truly out your control. But most of the time, it’s not. 

How can you resolve these issues? 

Apart from external events getting in the way, all of the above listed problems are can be resolved. When creating resolutions, whatever they may be, be mindful of these common reasons for failure, and aim to avoid them with the following strategies.  

Set realistic resolutions – and in realistic quantities.  

Setting overly ambitious or unrealistic goals can lead to disappointment. Likewise, trying to make too many changes at once can be overwhelming. A lack of focus can result in spreading oneself too thin and not making meaningful progress in any particular area. 

Be clear and specific about what you want to achieve, focusing on what is reasonably attainable. Instead of a vague goal like “grow a better professional network,” make it specific, such as “attend two networking events per month.” 

By creating clear goals that are within your reach, you avoid frustration and discouragement, and ensure there are ways to hold yourself accountable.  

Have a plan. 

Saying you’re resolved to do something isn’t enough. Without a detailed strategy, people may struggle to translate their intentions into actionable steps. Consider: 

  • Divide larger goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. This makes it easier to track progress and prevents feeling overwhelmed. 
  • Set deadlines for achieving your goals. Having a timeline creates a sense of urgency and helps you stay accountable. 
  • Find a way to hold yourself accountable to these goals, or have others support you by keeping you accountable.  

Mindset matters – a lot.  

In trying to achieve any goal – New Year’s resolutions or otherwise – your mindset is critical.  

Many people suffer from impatience, which is a very human response to anticipation. However, expecting quick results, especially when progress is slower than anticipated, can lead to discouragement and even defeat. If – when – you encounter obstacles or setbacks, view them as learning opportunities and a chance to re-strategize. 

In order to achieve long-term results, patience and adaptability in the face of setbacks is crucial. Likewise, frame your resolutions in a positive light. Instead of saying what you won’t do, focus on what you will do. 

Employ the proper motivators.  

Your motivation must be more than the fear of failure. Resolutions driven by external pressures or societal expectations rather than genuine personal motivation are less likely to succeed. A strong internal desire for change is essential.  

For proper motivation, consider: 

  • Track your progress and keep record of your achievements.  
  • Celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Treat yourself when you reach milestones, but choose rewards that align with your resolutions. 

Being fair and kind to yourself when assessing your progress and remaining distance to cover is tantamount to keeping yourself track.  

In conclusion
 

New Year’s resolutions have a reputation for failing, but it doesn’t always have to be the case. Aim for success by creating specific, realistic goals and employing the proper mindset and motivators.  

Cal Wilson / December 11, 2023

How to balance the holiday season with your business’ bottom line.

Depending on your industry – and area of focus – the holiday season can be slow for business. In fact, November to January might bring with it a looming sense of doom, not just related to shorter days and cooler weather, but instead, about your business’ bottom line.

In this article, we take a look at the holiday slowdown that impacts some businesses around this time of year, and some strategies for combatting any potential fiscal consequences it may have.

What is the ‘holiday slowdown’?

As many professionals know, this phenomenon happens when businesses or industries experience a decrease in activity or a slowdown in operations during the holiday season which can make an already tight time of year even more nerve-wracking.

Of course, not all industries are impacted, some sectors thrive during the holiday season. These include:

  • Retail and consumer goods businesses.
  • E-commerce.
  • Hospitality, travel, and tourism.
  • Subscription-based services that bill annually, starting in January.

Some of the industries most affected by the holiday slowdown season are:

  • Service industries that are not directly related to seasonal activities.
  • B2B businesses.
  • Retail businesses that cannot offer online shopping alternatives.

What is the culprit behind this slowdown?

There are a lot of reasons your business might slowdown during the holiday season. Some that might be impacting your business include:

  • Changing consumer priorities.
  • Employee vacations.
  • Business closures.
  • Budget constraints for both your business’ spending and customer spending.

For these reasons, you might find your suppliers take longer to deliver, your clients and contacts don’t return calls or emails, and, altogether, things are just harder to get done. If you’re trying to accomplish work as normal during the holiday season, it might feel like the rest of the world is plotting against you.

There are strategies for combatting the slowdown.

Businesses often need to adapt their strategies to navigate the holiday slowdown. Having a plan for this season can often make the difference between starting the new year off strong, or in a deficit. Depending on your industry, there are many tactics worth considering:

  • The launch of holiday-specific promotions, discounts, and other deals to incentivize customer’s purchasing decision.
  • Developing campaigns to encourage the sale of pre-paid gift cards and certificates as holiday presents.
  • Investing in experimental marketing tactics to increase community engagement and local brand awareness.

Of course, depending on what your business specializes in , these might not be viable options.

Cutting costs is more effective than spending money.

There is a lot of advice out there that will tell you to put money and time into marketing campaigns, revamped customer service training, new product or service offerings, and other investments to survive the holiday slowdown season.

In general, spending money to make money makes sense. However sometimes it’s just another added worry during an already stressful season, and it’s not guaranteed to make the slowdown period any more lucrative. Having a plan to ensure your budget isn’t overextended during the holiday slowdown is the best  tool available to guarantee a successful holiday season, and an even better new year.

What does can this “plan” look like?

  • Developing a comprehensive holiday business plan that includes sales forecasts and contingency efforts.
  • Analyzing past holiday seasons to identify trends and areas for improvement.
  • Managing inventory levels effectively to prevent overstocking or stockouts.
  • Ensuring you’re not overspending on any essential business expenses all year long.

We’ve found that it’s not uncommon for businesses to be overspending on expenses like telecom, payment processing fees, and waste disposal by around 25-30%. Maybe that’s not a huge problem during your peak season, but during a holiday slowdown, that could pose some real consequences. The best thing your business can do to survive slow periods , is make sure all your costs are optimized, all the time.

In conclusion


Depending on your industry, holiday slowdowns may become unavoidable. While there’s lots of advice out there encouraging you to spend money on shiny new initiatives or campaigns, one of the best things you can do is look for ways to ensure you’re not overspending throughout the entire year.

Cal Wilson / December 5, 2023

How to Get Good at Small Talk, and Even Enjoy It

Small talk is important in lots of real world and business situations. So, what if you struggle with it? In this issue of the Pulse, we share a video from Harvard Business Review, all about mastering strategies for small talk.  

Cal Wilson / November 27, 2023

Veterinarians: Not staying on top of your biohazardous waste fees hurts everyone, including your clients

As any business owner or manager whose practice deals with medical waste knows, biohazardous waste can cost a pretty penny to dispose of. For veterinarians specifically, oftentimes, the ever-increasing cost of this service gets passed down onto the client, in the form of an added fee on their bill.  

In this article, we look at the cost of biohazardous waste disposal on veterinary clinics, and how failing to keep on top of those fees can hurt you and your clients.  

What biohazardous waste do vet clinics produce?  

Veterinary practices and animal hospitals produce the following kinds of biohazardous waste: 

  • Contaminated sharps – such as used needles, scalpels, surgical blades.  
  • Bodily fluids – such as blood, used bandages and dressings, blood collection tubes, etc.  
  • Pathological waste – such as carcasses, organs, diseased or infected tissue, and removed tumors or cysts.  
  • Microbiological waste – such as cultures, specimens, or other contaminated laboratory items.  
  • Used/contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE). 
  • Chemical waste – such as disinfectants, cleaning agents, laboratory chemicals, medications, etc.  
  • Waste generated by x-ray machines. 

Obviously, the scope of what a practice offers is going to determine how much biohazardous waste is being produced and disposed of, but by the very nature of the work, there is guaranteed to be some.   

There are many costs associated with biohazardous waste.  

While this article is primarily focused on the costs associated with biohazardous waste disposal, there are several other costs associated, as well: 

  • Regulatory compliance – including obtaining permits and implementing specific disposal procedures. 
  • Training and certification – staff must be trained in proper biohazardous waste handling and disposal procedures, which, depending on the practice’s staffing situation, might be an expense incurred by the business.  
  • Potential liability costs should an incident occur. 

Specifically, when it comes to biohazardous waste disposal, the costs are represented by: 

  • Collection fees. 
  • Transportation fees. 
  • Disposal fees from the facilities that process specialized waste.  
  • Specialized containers and packaging. 
  • Extra staff hours dedicated to proper record keeping and waste segregation.  

These costs are often represented on clients’ bills. 

As more and more regulations of biohazardous waste are being implemented across North America, resulting in rising costs to vets, an increasing number of veterinary practices have begun charging a ‘medical waste fee’ or ‘biohazard fee’ on their clients’ bills. Some vets might bundle the disposal cost in with the cost of the service, while others choose to lay it out for transparency.  

Now, as any animal owner knows, a visit to the vet clinic or animal hospital is already expensive, and potentially stressful enough. Seeing a charge for medical waste on your invoice, while understandable, might cause an additional sense of frustration, depending on how expensive that charge is.  

Therefore, as a practice owner or manager, part of best-serving your clients is making sure your biohazardous/medical waste disposal fees are under control. The less you’re overpaying to your vendors, the less gets pushed onto the customers. Everybody wins.  

Why might your practice be paying too much for disposal? 

Several factors can contribute to veterinary practices overpaying for medical waste disposal. These include: 

  • Volume of waste. 
  • Container sizes.  
  • Collection schedules.  
  • Contract agreement and rates.  
  • Rising transportation costs.  

While your business can take certain steps to reduce waste, it can be difficult to cut back too much without impacting your services. In order to be sure you’re not overpaying, it’s important to be sure your container sizes, collection schedules, and rates are optimized.  

In conclusion
 

Biohazardous medical waste disposal represents a significant cost to veterinary practices and their clients. For practices facing big or increasing medical waste disposal, you might be overpaying. Ensuring that you’re never paying a penny more than what is fair is good for business and for your clients.  

Michelle Soper / November 21, 2023

Comparison is the thief of joy

“Comparison is the thief of joy.” I’m sure most of us have heard those words at some point in our lives and although it may sound like a clichĂ©, there’s a lot of truth to it.

In this issue of the Pulse, we talk about what comparison is, why we compare ourselves and how to limit the amount of time we spend comparing ourselves to others.

What is comparison? 

Comparison is the act of examining two or more items (or in this case, people) to establish similarities and dissimilarities.

As humans, we often compare ourselves to the people we surround ourselves with or look up to. This can be friends, family, coworkers, or public figures. In fact, some studies estimate that as much as 10% of our thoughts are comparisons of some type.  

Why do we compare ourselves? 

It’s human nature to compare ourselves to other people. As psychologist Pia Linden says, “Humans are ‘social animals’ and our ancestors have always lived and survived in groups. Comparing yourself to others serves as an orientation to see where we stand in a group and whether we need to take some action to improve our performance or position.”

However, too much of anything can be a bad thing, including comparison. So how do we limit it? 

Consider your differences

Whenever you start comparing yourself to other people, stop to think for a minute about the differences between you and the person you are comparing yourself to. No two people are completely alike.

For example, think about one of your coworkers. Although you may have similar roles within the company you’re at now, things like your education, previous work experience and skillset will vary in some way, shape or form. You also more than likely had different upbringings and advantages that were given to you throughout your life.

Consider the ups and downs  

In today’s world, with social media ever present in our lives, we are often bombarded with people’s “ups”, from engagements and growing families to meeting sales goals and job promotions. However, we often aren’t privy to each other’s “downs”, such as being passed over for a job promotion or being told no by a cold call. Without seeing both the ups and downs, we’re giving ourselves a completely unrealistic comparison to hold ourselves to.  

Focus on self-improvement

Now that we discussed the differences that may exist between the person you are comparing yourself to and the “downs” you probably don’t see, I think it’s accurate to say that the only person it’s fair for you to compare yourself to is yourself. Instead of comparing yourself to someone else with, compare the present you to past you and use how far you have come to motivate you to keep going and keep improving year over year.  

In conclusion


Make your past self your competition, not others around you. Comparing yourself to others is like comparing apples to oranges and is a disservice to yourself.  

Cal Wilson / November 14, 2023

The benefits of not being locked into a territory.

If you’re looking at investing in a franchise, you’ve certainly encountered the concept of territory. In fact, 90% of franchise models use territories in their operations. While territories protect certain kinds of businesses from potentially debilitating competition, being locked into a territory can also stifle your ability to prospect new clients.

In this article, we look at some of the benefits of going with a franchise model that doesn’t restrict franchisees to a territory.

When do territories make sense?

Let’s say you’re wanting to invest in a fast-food franchise. Well, it makes logical sense that you wouldn’t want to open a McDonalds or Taco Bell in the same plaza as an already established location. Exclusive territories prevent this kind of needless competition by protecting a geographic range such as a ZIP or postal code, distance, or a demographic or legal jurisdiction.

The definition of this territory is usually very clearly outlined in a franchise agreement, and you should have all that information before you make any decisions.

When do territories hinder you?

By its very definition, a territory is a limitation. It tells you where you can find a customer base and, more importantly, where you can’t. Depending on the kind of business  you’re looking to invest in, this could be a significant hindrance.

For businesses that provide a highly specialized service, for example, and who may serve niche markets, territories could prevent them from reaching important client-bases. Especially when part of your marketing strategy might be leveraging existing relationships and referrals.

If you’re stuck within a certain geographic boundary, a lot of your network is potentially out of reach.

Schooley Mitchell franchises are not locked into exclusive territories.

As a provider of B2B cost reduction consulting services, it’s an integral part of Schooley Mitchell’s franchise model to not limit franchisees to exclusive territories. We believe this is a key factor behind many of our franchisees’ success.

Many professionals looking to invest in a franchise come from extensive and decorated careers in other industries. Meaning, many of them bring an extensive network alongside a wealth of experience. Not enforcing rigid territories on franchisees means they have the flexibility to leverage these networks and relationships outside of their specific market to get clients.

Likewise, this protects them against potentially negative demographic and traffic pattern territories that might otherwise render your territory less lucrative. No one can predict the future, and between inflation and the looming possibility of recession, it’s important to have every protection possible when opening your new business. Not being locked in to one specific ZIP code gives you an extra layer of assurance that you can take your work to where the clients are.

In conclusion…

While 90% of franchisors use territories as a part of their franchise model, there are significant disadvantages to being locked into one, depending on the kind of business you’re looking to invest in. For many service-based businesses, being able to operate without a territory means you can leverage your networks and find clients across many markets.

If you’re looking to own a franchise business, do your research into the franchisor’s territory policies and why that may or may not work for your entrepreneurship goals. It may just be that the last thing you need is to be pigeon-holed into a territory.

Cal Wilson / November 13, 2023

Is the future of small package shipping box-less?

Earlier this year, Amazon surprised a lot of people when it announced it was planning on fulfilling some of its shipments without its classic brown box packaging. This obviously raises a lot of questions for vendors, shippers, and consumers; what does small package shipping without boxes look like, and is it safe? In this article we look at this potential trend.  

Why ship without boxes? 

It might sound a little crazy, especially when the image of a box on your front stoop is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of deliveries, but there are significant upsides: 

  • More items per truckload, making deliveries more efficient. 
  • Generates less shipping-related waste. 
  • Less costs transferred to the customer.  
  • Reducing materials and labor costs for shippers. 

If handled well, box-free shipping could be a huge win for all parties involved in package fulfilment. However, it’s not without its challenges. 

Is box-less shipping even a realistic option? 

Right now, about 11% of Amazon packages are shipped without additional boxing. The company calls this “ship in own container” and offers it as an option for select vendors. Customers can select box-less shopping at checkout when shopping from these vendors. So far, these are mostly items that already arrive in the manufacturer’s box, like a television or toaster.  Brita, the water filter company, selected to participate in Amazon’s “ship in own container” program, and even changed its packaging design to be eligible.  

For some items, like those mentioned above, it’s an easy solution. But that doesn’t mean it works for everything. Vendors offering box-free shipping must come up with alternatives to ensure that the items they ship are sturdy enough for individual shipping without needing extra materials.  

Another difficulty with box-less shipping is where to label packages. Some items’ dimensions and shape would make it hard to place a label, potentially leading to shipping delays or even unfulfillments.  

Privacy is a concern.  

Those opposed to box-free shipping have raised the concern that without boxes, packages being shipped to homes will potentially be visible to potential onlookers, eliminating privacy and increasing the risk of theft. This puts the onus on the manufacturer to potentially change their packaging of items to be more discreet, or on the customer to provide a more concealed or secure delivery location.  

What if you’re not shipping with Amazon? 

The discussion about box-free shipping took off this year because of Amazon, but that doesn’t mean every shipper can immediately hop on the trend. Logistically, going box-less will be harder for some companies than others, especially considering who their shipping provider is and what solutions they offer.  

There are alternative solutions being developed.  

While some companies are going box-free, others are investing in new packaging solutions. For example, Seegene, a business that specializes in molecular diagnostic kits, developed an eco-friendly shipping box which is 100% recyclable and more efficient than the conventional Styrofoam shipping boxes used for these kinds of products. So, while packaging hasn’t been eliminated, it is more cost effective and environmentally friendly.  

In conclusion
 

Box-less packaging might be the future of shipping, or it might be just a fad, but either way, there are many benefits and drawbacks to keep in mind when implementing this kind of change. While it could positively reshape your shipping processes, there are many situational requirements to consider when making it a reality. 

Cal Wilson / November 7, 2023

Pursuing creativity through insecurity  

Creativity is a huge asset in any workplace. Employers and workplaces that encourage and nurture their employees’ creativity will see the benefit through improved problem-solving capabilities, increased innovation, enhanced employee satisfaction, and ultimately, a stronger competitive advantage in the marketplace. 

But what about you, as an individual, bringing creativity to your work? It’s easier said than done, especially with mounting pressures and external stressors competing for your energy. Likewise, many of us face significant imposter syndrome or self-doubt when it comes to creative endeavors.  

In this article of the Pulse, we look at how you can pursue creativity even amid stress or insecurity. 

You don’t have to be a virtuoso. 

Even if you’re nervous of your creative capacity, you’ve probably got more ability than you think.  

As James C Kaufman, a professor of educational psychology and creativity expert, wrote for Aeon magazine, “many people assume that an individual’s artistic talents, such as drawing, writing, or playing a musical instrument, are the best (or only) way to determine if they are creative.” 

Many people are discouraged from pursuing creative projects or from developing their own creativity if they don’t see it resulting in some measure of artistic excellence. This kind of pressure, or comparison to others’ abilities, is killer. Kaufman calls this kind of thinking “genius bias” or the assumption that “the only creativity of note was that of brilliant creators.” 

If you’re falling prey to this, there are steps you can take to nurture your own creativity.  

You’re more creative than you think.  

Whether or not you’re an accomplished painter or violinist, you probably exercise creative ability every day at work. Every time you consider a new approach to a problem, a different way or organizing a physical or digital space, or find new ways to collaborate, you tap into a creative well. Basically, creativity necessitates original thinking and the ability to try new methods or processes.  

However, don’t mistake that for requiring novelty. Like a genius bias, Kaufman explains that many people feeling blocked creatively “have a ‘novelty bias’ – they focus only on the aspect of creativity that requires originality, to the exclusion of its other elements. But creativity encompasses much more than just producing something new.” 

Creativity applies to your mindset and approach to doing things, including your everyday work. Whether that’s altering your sales pitch to be more effective for a specific prospect, leading a meeting with your peers, or presenting your work.

Don’t count yourself out. 

Whether you’re insecure about your own creative capacity when it comes to a project at work, or nervous about pursuing new creative ventures, counting yourself out isn’t the way to go. When in doubt, think of the little creative things you do every day, from telling a joke to thinking of a quick fix to a household problem, and remind yourself that your creativity is inherent.  

As Kaufman says, “if you see these everyday behaviours as creative, and you therefore believe that you can be creative and identify as a creative person, it will make you more likely to practise creativity. You can’t succeed if you don’t try.” 

In conclusion
 

It’s easy to believe you’re insufficiently creative, when our society mostly judges creativity by artistic achievement. But you likely practice creativity every day without realizing, and have a potential for creativity larger than you know.  

Cal Wilson / October 30, 2023

How does the telecom industry tackle sustainability?

When we think of industries that play an important role in global sustainability efforts, telecommunications might not be the first that comes to mind. Maybe you think of oil and gas, the automotive industry, farming, etc. However, advancements in telecommunications have a huge impact on sustainability.  

In this article, we look at some of the ways the telecom industry tackles sustainability, and some of the issues it still faces.  

The positive impact of the telecom industry. 

Advancements in telecommunications have improved sustainability in a plethora of ways. Some of those benefits have included: 

  • Reduced travel emissions as a result of video conferencing, cloud collaboration, and other remote capabilities.  
  • Efficiency improvements brought on by developments like fiber optic networks.  
  • Tech that eliminates wasted materials, like cloud collaboration, eSignature, and so on.  

As telecom continues to advance, the sustainability possibilities also increase.  

However, there are still inefficiencies.  

While the telecom industry presents so much opportunity for positive change, it is not without its negatives. For example, telecommunications infrastructure consumes energy at high rates. Data centers, in particular, require a lot of electricity not only to power, but to keep cool.  

Likewise, in order for our telecommunications systems to exist the way they do, there is an environmental toll: 

  • The production of telecom equipment, from mining materials to manufacturing, involves resource-intensive processes.  
  • Electronic waste, when not recycled in a proper e-waste program, is an ever-growing issue in global landfills, exacerbated by the rapid advancement making old gadgets obsolete.  
  • Network expansion into remote or ecologically sensitive areas has been known to have a negative impact on local environments and wildlife. 

Recent concerns have brought this topic into the forefront.  

The environmental impact of telcos made headlines this past July when The Wall Street Journal published an investigative journalism exposé revealing that AT&T, Verizon, and other telecom companies have left a massive network across the U.S. of old cables covered in toxic lead. 

Most of these cables were laid between the late 1800s and 1960s, then simply never removed and left to degrade. The exposĂ© found that “2,000 old telco cables has degraded over time and contaminated myriad locations in water, in the soil and from overhead lines. Many of these locations are in places where people live and work. Some of the locations are in schoolyards. According to its independent tests, some lead levels in sediment and soil measured 14.5 times the EPA threshold for areas where children play.” 

While the telcos responsible for this have all responded differently, the takeaway is clear. The infrastructure used by the telecom industry has the potential to change the environment around it, and not always for the better. Using safe and responsible materials, and keeping better track of outdated hardware, is critical. 

What are telcos doing to address sustainability? 

Many telecom companies are actively working to reduce their environmental footprint through energy-efficient technologies, renewable energy adoption, and responsible waste management. For example, the transition to 5G networks, which are more energy-efficient overall, is one of the gradual solutions to improving the telecommunications industries’ sustainability.  

Several of the world’s biggest telcos are on their way to reducing emissions significantly or achieving sustainability within the next few years. Verizon, for instance, is on track to reduce emissions by 53% by 2030.  

In conclusion
 

The telecommunications industry has both positive and negative environmental impacts. On the one hand, advancements have increased sustainability in all other walks of life. However, such large operations, networks, and infrastructure takes its toll as well. Â