Sustainability at ClearTech: The evolution of a critical client service June 2025
Led by CTO Joe Perez, ClearTech has developed a sustainable design practice that benefits clients as much as it does the planet. “It’s not a zero-sum equation where gains in one area entail costs in another,” says Joe. “Every day, ClearTech demonstrates that we can provide the best possible solutions for our customers while advancing sustainability on various fronts, from minimizing the environmental impact of our actions to developing partnerships that benefit vulnerable populations.”
We sat down with Joe to talk about how ClearTech puts sustainability into practice in ways that address the unique and evolving needs of the people and organizations we serve.
What’s the best way to maximize the value of sustainability practices for your clients?
“More than anything else, it’s about mindfulness. You can’t have a cookie-cutter approach to meeting your customers’ needs. Their individual strategies and circumstances come first. And with their goals in mind, we’re able to advance sustainability across the solution life cycle. The other thing we provide our customers is our up-to-the-minute knowledge about how we can incorporate sustainability strategies not just to conserve resources and reduce pollution, but to enable organizations to operate more efficiently and profitably. To that end, we’re always expanding our knowledge base and partner resources so that they can take advantage of best practices. In fact, we co-authored the AV industry’s first Guide to Sustainable Design & Installation.
Everyone knows that sustainability is good for planet, but does it come at a cost to those who put it into practice?
We work hard to make sustainability practices a win-win for the planet and for our industry. On the one hand, sustainability is an end unto itself. We want to conserve resources and develop practices that enable us to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. At the same time, there are huge benefits to reducing our resource use and finding ways to operate more efficiently. You can save a lot of money. And at ClearTech we do everything possible to make it easy for our clients to realize those savings.
The first thing we do is take the time to understand what our customers need from their AV solution. The more we know about our clients, the easier it is not just to satisfy their expectations but to exceed them. And our sustainability solutions help to make that a reality. For instance, we gain a comprehensive picture of all their uses cases and needs, and then we focus on how to achieve them in a way that maximizes efficiency and minimizes waste. It’s important to note that we were founded as a service company and have always had a strong sustainability mindset. Since those qualities have been with us from the start and are part of our culture, every member of our team has internalized them.
Take us through a project from start to finish.
Sure. I’ve already mentioned the care we take in the design phase. Now let’s say we’re moving on to a de-install of old equipment and infrastructure. Everything gets handled properly. Equipment that still functions is assessed and tested by our trained team. If it’s usable, our SAVe: A Second Life initiative works to give it a second life at the end of its first one by seeing that it’s donated to a community organization that can make use of it to better serve its constituents. If it doesn’t work, we send it to partners we’ve personally vetted for ethics and effectiveness – like Home Boy Industries and APEX Surplus. We’re aware that a lot of used equipment ends up on container ships where it’s dumped onto the beaches of developing nations. We do everything possible to make sure that doesn’t happen with the equipment we collect. If gear can be recycled, we make sure it’s done responsibly. If it must be disposed of, we make sure THAT’S done responsibly.
When we’re designing AV solutions, we gain a very clear idea of what’s needed as far as performance and features are concerned. Then we spec equipment that will get the job done as reliably and efficiently as possible. Moreover, we search out products from brands that are committed to sustainability, using third-part certifications and standards – among a host of other measures – to verify company claims. If a manufacturer doesn’t provide verifiable information about their commitment to sustainability, they fall way down the list of options for us.
When tasked with upgrading or replacing a client’s AV infrastructure, we seek out opportunities to reuse existing equipment. That may prevent us from making a sale on new equipment, but it will save the client money and help keep waste out of landfills. We weigh energy consumption of equipment and also look for ways to reduce power consumption of other equipment – for example, by using window shades, curtains, daylight harvesting technology, and various automation technologies to decrease the strain on HVAC. Whenever possible we try to use all-in-one components instead of separate components since that’s an effective way to reduce power consumption. We also incorporate technologies and protocols that reduce installation materials. Those are just some of the steps we take.
Once an installation is complete, ClearTech uses various configuration and scheduling tools to save energy. We also practice preventative maintenance to extend solution life and optimize operational efficiency. Some of our practices are high tech, some surprisingly low tech. For example, you wouldn’t believe how effective a simple checklist can be to ensure sustainability practices are followed.
So how does all this save a customer money?
A lot of it comes down to energy costs. The right equipment, properly supported, can slash your electrical, maintenance and repair costs. Sustainability is also about extending solution life. And if you have a piece of equipment that can be upgraded vs. replaced, you’re saving money.
Too often sustainability is seen as a “do-gooder” practice that gets in the way of running a business, but that kind of thinking just doesn’t apply in the modern world. Improving efficiency and solution longevity is a boon for the bottom line. And not only that, it’s a big asset for your reputation and brand image because more and more customers only want to do business with companies that care about sustainability.
What customers appreciate about ClearTech is the fact that we are a 100% customer-focused company. We’d never recommend a solution that was a step backward for our clients. The beauty of sustainable AV design and installation is that when it’s done right, using the best products and practices, it’s always a step forward.
Learn more about ClearTech’s commitment to sustainability.
