The time to invest in our planet is now. We know that, together, small actions can have a dramatic impact at the global level, which is why we are passionate about sustainable ATM practices.
The typical ATM interaction is fast and usually just another stop in a busy day—but consider the thousands of transactions that take place across a whole fleet of ATMs each day. Then think about how many transactions take place daily at the over three million ATMs in use worldwide. If each ATM interaction was more efficient, the benefits—and the potential environmental impact—could be huge.
Where can you start? Here are seven ways your ATM network can make a difference in time for next year’s Earth Day:
1.
Reduce Power Consumption
Self-service systems are available 24/7—and with the “always on” role comes “always on” power consumption. When is the last time you thoroughly evaluated your self-service network’s energy consumption levels? Older terminals and underutilized ATMs could be inordinately affecting your overall energy consumption.
Newer ATMs use technology that requires less energy through LEDs, ambient light sensing, and more efficient modules with smarter power supplies and electronics. These modern features allow the ATM to maintain a lower operating and idle power consumption. For example,
our latest technology in DN Series™ offer a power saving rate of at least 30%, and up 60%, compared to traditional ATMs3.
And, do you have installation sites in a shopping mall or a branch vestibule that are closed during the night? With the option of “Green Self-Service” you can implement automated shutdowns during closing hours and realize additional power savings.
2.
Implement Cash Recycling to Minimize CIT Visits
Easy access to cash—anywhere, anytime around the world, is an essential service for banks to offer consumers. But cash holds hidden efforts and costs, including transport and handling. Cash automation is absolutely necessary in the battle to reduce the impact on the environment. End-to-end optimization of cash processes can reduce a bank’s footprint and also help FIs realize up to a 75% reduction in cash replenishment efforts—which means direct savings in CO2 emissions from fewer cash-in-transit (CIT) visits.
Migrating your customers to recycling ATMs creates a closed-loop cycle in which your own customers—often small- and medium-business owners who are conducting their night drops—are replenishing your ATMs for free and consumers can withdraw the same money. Based on concrete cash flow data of a retail bank, a reduction of 75% in cash replenishments can be realized through the use of cash recycling technology. When ATMs with recycling technology replace standard cash-out ATMs and deposit solutions for cash-in transactions, you can see fewer CIT visits: For example, in one case we saw a reduction of 150 CIT visits yearly. Based on average emissions of CIT visits 1,700 kg CO2 can be saved per ATM per year.
3.
Increase Cash Capacity and Benefit from Innovation
In high-volume locations, ATMs can run out of cash quickly or fill up with cash and check deposits just as fast. This is compounded during peak hours, such as on Friday paydays or holidays. This requires cash-in-transit trucks and personnel (CIT) to visit and refill or empty the cash at the ATM. Having larger cassettes that can hold and store more cash can help reduce the number of CIT visits, reducing the overall number of trucks on the road, and keeping the ATM in operation longer. DN Series ATMs offer up to 2x the cash capacity versus other manufacturers—saving almost 225 kg in carbon emissions and up to 40% in CIT stops each year.
Additional new technology inside DN Series delivers even more contributions to a positive environmental impact:
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Improved design such as optimized note path increases reliability and lowers the average number of yearly service interventions per system.
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Advanced retract capabilities lower or even eliminate interventions needed when customers forget to take their money.
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The opportunity of in-branch recycling can further reduce CIT stops when cassettes are interchanged between systems in one location.
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Cash management solutions and integrated services support can help you optimize your branch and self-service network while balancing and minimizing CIT costs and interest rates, depending on the individual cash flow.
4.
Offer Advanced Transaction Capabilities in a Minimal Footprint
Building a whole new branch is a huge investment. From an environmental standpoint, it entails construction that can disrupt wildlife habitats and create more pollution. Opting for a smaller, more efficient option like an ATM “as a branch,” with advanced transaction capabilities, could be a smarter alternative. ATMs equipped with full cash recycling, alternative authentication, coin deposit and dispense, video teller capabilities and other services can bring an in-branch digital and human experience to a space you never thought was possible. And it can be done at a much lower environmental impact and investment cost. Not to mention it can still serve as a pillar of financial access in the community that will remain open during a natural disaster or a health crisis like the one the world recently experienced.
5.
Increase Remote and Automated Capabilities
Traditionally, when something goes wrong at the ATM, such as a jammed note or mechanical failure, a service technician and vehicle gets dispatched to the ATM to fix it. The technician is generally only aware of what is wrong with the ATM based on a description. So fixing the machine may take a few hours on the first visit. Or it may take several or more days depending on the severity and parts available. Shortening and straightening that path reduces energy consumption, with fewer unnecessary service tech visits, higher remote resolution rates, higher first-time fix rates and higher call avoidance.
IoT-enabled ATMs with DN AllConnect ServicesSM facilitate faster, more seamless fixes, as service experts can proactively address ATM issues at the individual terminal level using information generated from aggregate fleet data. In 2019, for example, the increased use of IoT in the U.S. enabled us to reduce on-site ATM visits by 60,000, which led to the reduction of 1,500 tons of CO2 emissions—63,000 trees in our forest metaphor.
6.
Extend the ATM Lifecycle Through Upgrades
Replacing ATMs is not always an option. Sometimes upgrades are needed instead. It’s critical to have an ATM that was designed and engineered to be scalable and modular, so new components and features can be added easily. DN Series ATMs do just that, with the ability to upgrade from a cash dispenser to recycler. You can completely update the fascia in the same compact footprint. Lengthening the lifecycle of the ATM reduces overall waste and disposal, while increasing efficiency and enhancing the consumer experience.
7.
Ensure an Impact after its Useful Life
Sadly, all good things must come to an end, including the useful life of an ATM. New ATMs, like DN Series, that are made of more recycled or recyclable materials than previous generations, allow for the environmental footprint to be reduced, recycled, and possibly someday reused into something new again. In fact, DN’s global recycling program has been able to recycle thousands of retired ATMs and other electrical equipment over the past years.
When is the last time you considered the environmental impact of your ATM fleet? This Earth Day, we encourage you to take a closer look at your operations, and consider whether Diebold Nixdorf solutions and DN Series could add efficiencies, value and environmental benefits to your organization.
Learn more about our approach to
Sustainable Banking, and
contact us today to discuss how your organization can take the next step towards a more sustainable and efficient ATM fleet.
