Environmental Impacts of Fiber Optic Cable

Fiber Optic Cable Environmental Impacts: A Greener Choice for a Sustainable Future

The world's need for data is growing constantly. When you're sitting down to stream a new show or connecting to remote work for the day, it's easy to overlook how much data is exchanged for your daily routine. These data demands need reliable networks to keep communities functioning, but it comes at a cost. 

Businesses and governments are under pressure to reduce their carbon footprint. In 2024, 45% of Fortune Global 500 companies set net-zero emissions targets. Organizations must balance data demand with these climate initiatives. Fiber optics is emerging as a solution. 

The benefits of fiber optic networks offer a lower environmental impact throughout their life cycle while supporting the public's connectivity needs.

Understanding the Environmental Impact of Communication Cables

All communication cables have an environmental impact. Traditional copper cables, however, require extensive mining and refining. These processes deplete natural resources and release significant amounts of pollutants. Sulfates, mercury, lead and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can all leach into the ecosystem, harming wildlife and water supplies. 

Smelting copper ore is highly energy-intensive, and runoff from copper mines can contaminate soil and waterways. Additionally, the mining process destroys natural habitats, further increasing the negative impact of copper cables.

Fiber, on the other hand, is primarily made from silica — one of the most abundant minerals on Earth. Producing fiber still requires heat and purification, but it offers greater long-term efficiency and durability than copper. Over its entire life cycle, a fiber optic cable will consume fewer resources and generate less waste.

The Benefits of Switching to Fiber Optic Networks

While switching to fiber optic cables is a more expensive investment upfront, performance and environmental advantages make fiber optic options a better choice than copper alternatives.

1. Increased Efficiency

One of the main benefits of fiber optic cable is its energy efficiency compared to copper. Copper transmits data as electrical signals, which weaken over distances. Copper networks require amplifiers and repeaters to maintain performance, and these draw significant power. Fiber optics transmits data as pulses of light through ultra-thin glass strands. That means less resistance and signal loss, even over long distances. 

Studies show that at 50 megabits per second (Mbps), fiber connections emitted 1.7 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year compared to copper's 2.7 tons. That means lower electricity bills for operators and reduced carbon emissions for large-scale deployments. 

For data centers, fiber's efficiency also reduces heat generation, cutting down on cooling system demands. With more efficient transmission and cabling, data centers can see a potential reduction in active amplification. 

Faster, more energy-efficient fiber means telecom providers can reduce operational costs while meeting environmental goals. As organizations switch to fiber and use less energy than copper, the industry's overall footprint shrinks as well.

2. Minimized Raw Material Usage

More raw materials used translates to a higher ecological impact. Copper cables need large volumes of mined copper to work. However, copper is finite and non-renewable, and harvesting it contributes to deforestation, soil erosion and toxic byproducts. All that mining consumes even more energy. Increasing bandwidth demand requires scaling up copper use, chipping away at the environment.

Fiber optic cable is made primarily from silica, which comes from quartz sand. Quartz sand is one of the most widely available minerals on Earth. Turning this product into silica requires specialized processing, but the raw material itself is more available than copper. 

On top of that, fiber strands are thinner and lighter than copper conductors while still transmitting more data. Manufacturers use less material to achieve greater bandwidth. 

3. Increased Lifespan

Once fiber cables are installed, they last longer than copper. They can last at least 25 years in extreme conditions with occasional repairs. Copper needs regular replacements to combat oxidation and corrosion. Fewer replacements minimize waste, keeping cables out of landfills. Researchers are exploring recycling methods for glass fibers and polymer coatings. Eventually, we could see a circular lifespan for fiber cables, making them even more sustainable.

4. Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Fiber isn't just more efficient to use. It helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Copper's reliance on energy-intensive mining, smelting and additional support for amplification creates a significant carbon footprint. 

Transportation is another advantage of fiber cable. It's lighter than copper bundles, reducing transportation emissions during distribution. With a lower energy demand and a less-intensive harvesting and transport process, fiber contributes to lower emissions over time.

Studies show that fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks can generate up to 96% fewer network operational emissions than traditional hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) networks. The secret? The passive infrastructure of fiber optics. 

Once installed, the network is passive in the outside plant, although optical network terminals (ONTs) and line terminals (LTs) still consume power. Copper systems need powered roadside cabinets and frequent maintenance to keep them running. Every avoided maintenance check or amplifier reduces emissions.

5. Reduced Waste and Pollution Through a Cleaner Manufacturing Process

Manufacturing is another area where the benefits of fiber optic networks shine. Copper mining operations produce toxic byproducts and harmful waste. For example, 200 million tons of tailings and waste products were dumped into Torch Lake, Michigan, over 100 years of mining.

While Torch Lake is no longer a dumping ground, there are over 709 copper mines running globally today. Toxic chemicals associated with copper mining put large areas at potential risk.

Fiber optic manufacturing is energy-intensive during the glass purification and drawing phases, but it has a smaller carbon footprint per unit than copper. Modern manufacturers are investing in cleaner chemical processes and alternative materials to further reduce their impact.

Supporting a Circular Economy: Recycling and Reuse

Currently, most fiber optic cables are incinerated or left in landfills. Because fiber optic cable is made of ultra-pure silica glass, sheathing, plastic coatings and metal, it's difficult and expensive to recycle. Specialized processes can separate these components, but they're expensive. The industry is working on developing more cost-effective recycling methods to close the loop on the use of fiber optic cables. For now, fiber's longer life helps it minimize waste until a fast, affordable recycling method is developed. 

Embracing Fiber Optic Cable for a Greener Future

Choosing fiber goes beyond faster data. It's about building a more sustainable communications network. Lowering energy use and reducing raw material demands shrinks your carbon footprint compared to copper. At Multilink, we help telecom providers build better, greener infrastructure. 

Our complete fiber product line supports every stage of your fiber buildout. With an in-house fiber shop capable of producing custom assemblies and ISO 9001-certified quality testing, we deliver solutions you can trust. Multilink is proudly compliant with the Build America, Buy America Act, and our products are made in Ohio. We combine decades of expertise with a commitment to pushing the bounds of fiber further. 

Contact our team to strengthen your network today.