👉 Surplus computing, also known as computational surplus or digital waste, refers to the excessive resources—such as energy, hardware, and data storage—that are generated by digital technologies beyond their intended use or lifespan. This surplus often occurs when companies or individuals invest in computing infrastructure to handle peak demands, only to leave it underutilized or idle after periods of low activity. For instance, data centers may run servers continuously to handle anticipated traffic spikes, but during off-peak times, these servers remain active, consuming energy and resources without contributing to productive output. This phenomenon not only leads to unnecessary environmental impacts due to increased energy consumption and electronic waste but also represents a significant economic inefficiency, as the costs of maintaining these resources exceed their benefits. Addressing surplus computing involves optimizing resource allocation, improving energy efficiency, and finding ways to repurpose or recycle underutilized computing assets.
