At Tier1, we’re passionate about driving the circular economy and helping businesses make sustainable choices. That’s why we’re urging UK businesses to consider the significant environmental impact of buying refurbished IT equipment.
The Power of One
Data shows that if every business in the UK purchased just one refurbished laptop instead of a new one, we could collectively reduce the nation’s CO2 emissions by a staggering 1.2 billion kg. That’s because each refurbished device saves 213kg of CO2 emissions compared to a new one – a remarkable 65% reduction in carbon footprint.
And if each of the UK’s 5.6 million registered businesses considered just one refurbished device over a new one it would save 1.192 billion kg CO2 emissions.
That’s equivalent to:
- 3,196,959,420 miles driven by an average petrol-powered passenger vehicle
- 82,520,855,207 smartphones charged
- 163,012 home’s energy use for one year
- 20,668,857 tree seedlings grown for 10 years
Beyond Carbon Savings
The benefits extend far beyond carbon reduction. Refurbishing a laptop uses zero litres of water in the process, compared to the 190,000 litres required to manufacture a new one. Imagine the water savings if all 5.6 million registered UK businesses opted for refurbished devices. Based one new laptop per business, that’s a water saving of over one trillion litres.
Addressing E-waste
It’s concerning that 95% of UK businesses don’t recycle their old IT equipment, contributing to the growing problem of e-waste. Each year, UK businesses also incorrectly dispose of 234,000 tonnes of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), even though it costs 48% less to recycle one ton of material compared to sending it to a landfill. Recycling is not only more sustainable but also more cost-effective than sending e-waste to landfill.
We applaud the government’s efforts to encourage businesses to embrace net zero. However, we believe that more can be done. Businesses often overlook the significant environmental benefits of refurbished IT, assuming it’s inferior to new equipment.
The Truth About Refurbished
When sourced from a reputable IT reseller like Tier1, refurbished devices are virtually indistinguishable from new ones. They undergo professional data erasure and component upgrades, ensuring top quality and performance. Plus, they come with warranties and are significantly more affordable.
Jonathan Rose, Founder of Tier1 adds:
“More and more businesses across the country are aiming to become more sustainable by considering factors such as renewable energy and donating to environmentally friendly charities, but not many consider the environmental benefits that refurbished IT devices deliver, with many forming a misjudgement that refurbished equipment can’t be as good as new.
When purchased from a reputable IT reseller who has undertaken professional data erasure, and component and system upgrades themselves, renewed IT devices are so good it’s virtually impossible to tell the difference. And with them being approximately 70% cheaper than a brand-new asset and, in our case, coming with a minimum one-year warranty, it means business owners can save money, buy peace of mind and help reduce electronic waste and their environmental impact at the same time.”
Join the Movement
We urge businesses to join us in driving the circular economy and reducing their environmental impact. By choosing refurbished IT, you can save money, protect your data, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Learn more about the sustainability benefits of refurbished IT equipment.
Sources:
- sustain.life/blog/calculating-carbon-emissions-waste
- gov.uk/government/news/calling-all-small-businesses-to-lead-the-charge-to-net-zero
- silicon.co.uk/workspace/95-percent-of-business-computers-end-up-in-landfill-121552
- gov.ie/en/press-release/aac4f-ministers-donohoe-and-smyth-welcome-new-procurement-arrangement-for-remanufactured-laptops/
