Sustainability

Last updated: December 25, 2025

Sustainability is about reducing waste and improving reusability - principles that align naturally with good software engineering. Climate change affects all sectors of life, and we believe all economic activities should aim to become as sustainable as reasonably possible.

1. Energy & Operations

1.1 Renewable Energy

QAstell is developed in Germany, where our energy supplier is Ostrom, providing 100% renewable electricity. This means all development work, testing, and operations are powered by clean energy sources.

1.2 Remote-First Operations

We operate as a fully remote team, eliminating the carbon footprint associated with daily commuting. This approach not only reduces emissions but also promotes a better work-life balance.

2. Transportation & Travel

2.1 Low-Carbon Travel Policy

For long-distance travel, our preferred mode of transport is train. We actively avoid flying whenever feasible, though we acknowledge this isn't always practical for all destinations.

2.2 Public Transport

For regional travel, we use and encourage public transport. We hold the Deutschland Ticket, Germany's nationwide public transit pass, which enables sustainable mobility across the country.

3. Circular Economy

3.1 Refurbished Hardware

To reduce electronic waste and take advantage of the European circular economy, we have committed to purchasing only refurbished hardware. Our preferred suppliers are:

• AsGoodAsNew - Certified refurbished electronics
• reBuy - Second-hand and refurbished devices

By choosing refurbished equipment, we extend the lifecycle of existing devices, reduce demand for new manufacturing, and minimize electronic waste.

4. Environmental Considerations

4.1 Light Pollution

We are mindful of light pollution and its impact on wildlife, ecosystems, and human health. Where possible, we minimize unnecessary artificial lighting and support dark sky preservation initiatives.

4.2 Digital Sustainability

As a software company, we also consider digital sustainability:

• Efficient code: QAstell is designed to run efficiently without unnecessary resource consumption
• Minimal footprint: The library operates entirely client-side with no server calls, reducing network and infrastructure overhead
• No tracking: Our website doesn't use cookies or tracking scripts, reducing data transfer and processing

5. Continuous Improvement

Sustainability is a journey, not a destination. We continuously evaluate our practices and look for ways to reduce our environmental impact. If you have suggestions for how we can improve, please reach out to us at hello@qastell.eu.