Why refurbished tech should be your next ESG move

From global health crises to economic uncertainty, significant turmoil over the past decade has, unsurprisingly, led to a major shift in business priorities. Amidst all the chaos, it’s been easy to lose track of the important role net zero plays in safeguarding future operations. Many organisations now making up for lost time and scrambling to adopt greener, more energy-efficient strategies. However, ESG goals can feel like a mountain to climb - especially when you’re trying to juggle sustainability, budget constraints, and regulatory changes.

For businesses looking to achieve a more sustainable strategy, the focus often falls on big, complex upgrades like cutting-edge power and cooling systems, or solar-powered premises. Most recently, Amazon turned heads by announcing controversial plans to mitigate its water usage in data centres. Some US companies like Lonestar Data Holdings are bucking the trend even more, with plans to set up data centres on the moon. However, while it will be interesting to see how these plans take shape over the next decade, a much more achievable and cost-effective way to accelerate the journey to net-zero is often overlooked: refurbished technology. Reusing existing resources can be a powerful tool in the sustainability toolbox, offering a viable solution to achieve energy-efficiency.

The role of refurbished in championing the circular economy

The concept of a circular economy has gained popularity in industries like fashion and furniture – but tech has been slower to catch up. In essence, it’s the ideal solution when it comes to taking care of our environment, minimising waste and maximising resource by keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible.

When applied to IT infrastructure, a circular approach can lead to significant improvements, extending the lifespan of servers, storage and networking equipment rather than discarding them prematurely. Perfectly functional hardware is often replaced too soon, creating unnecessary e-waste. But offering high quality products a second life can help to alleviate these pain points, while enabling businesses to take full advantage of their capabilities.

Many industry players are already proving that circular IT isn’t just a theory – it’s a tangible and positive way forward. In 2020, Microsoft launched its first ever Circular Center to reuse, repurpose, and recycle IT assets from its data centres. The company has been expanding the model globally ever since, helping to reduce carbon emissions by 145,000 metric tons CO2 equivalent. And it’s not the only large-scale company jumping on the bandwagon. In 2021, Google reported that 27% of components used for machine upgrades came from refurbished parts, in addition to similar strategies being put in place by major players like Dell and Apple. These figures are just a small insight into the measurable difference a circular approach can have on our environment.

Why refurbished makes sense financially

Of course, not every company has the scale of Microsoft or Google, but that doesn’t mean the benefits of refurbished equipment are out of reach. In addition to the environmental factors, giving high quality products the new lease of life they deserve can go hand in hand with significant financial savings – a win win for everyone.

At ETB, we speak to customers from all over the world, that means their scope and scale often vary. From data centres to visual effects specialists, they all share one thing: the need for powerful and scalable IT solutions that don’t break the bank. While buying new can come with a hefty price tag, refurbished enables businesses to invest in more powerful, flexible and scalable equipment, at a far more affordable price point. Depending on the product, refurbished IT typically sells for up to 70% below RRP. That means our customers can get more for less, accessing high-grade performance on tighter budgets, without sacrificing quality, reliability or support. Just as importantly, they can do their part in helping to overcome the global waste and climate crisis.

The future of sustainable technology

Achieving net zero doesn’t always require massive overhauls or million-pound investments, and you don’t need to relocate to outer space to make a difference. Sometimes, it starts with a simple mindset shift. Upgrading IT systems to include refurbished can be an effective way to achieve a greater level of circularity for the tech sector and do so affordably. If more businesses think smarter about their ESG goals and take these steps, the overall impact could be immense. It’s time to rethink what “sustainable tech” really means and embrace the potential of powerful infrastructure that already exists.