My cross-disciplinary research project marries computer science with sustainability science, using a systems science perspective to form connections. More specifically, I intend to repurpose data centre waste heat in warm countries, addressing about one per cent of the world’s energy use. My research idea is to use this heat to dehydrate commodities such as coffee beans, tea leaves, fish or fruit. On top of significant environmental benefit, this allows for sustainably built communities through access to data and constant flows of food and income. Accordingly, I tie my research to most of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.