The technology landscape is constantly changing and adapting, which means businesses are under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices whilst saving money on IT.
One of the best ways a business can achieve its sustainability goals is by using second-hand servers.
Why? These refurbished machines are equally as reliable as new equipment but are much more cost-effective. Plus, refurbished servers are readily available at any mainstream second-hand server store.
By choosing these servers, companies can lower their environmental impact while still meeting their IT needs. In this blog, we’ll explore in detail how second-hand servers contribute to a more sustainable IT strategy and why your business should consider them.
Reduces Electronic Waste
Electronic waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world, and buying second-hand servers significantly cuts down on that.
Rather than discarding functional equipment, refurbished servers are repurposed, reducing the amount of old hardware that ends up in landfills.
Businesses can save money and improve operations while contributing to a healthier environment. It’s a win-win.
Lower Carbon Footprint
Manufacturing new servers requires a lot of energy and raw materials, which ultimately contributes to carbon emissions.
By choosing second-hand servers, you’re reducing the need for new production, thereby reducing the overall carbon footprint of your IT infrastructure. Plus, you avoid any mishaps in chip or part shortages that often happen in the manufacturing of new tech.
The energy used to refurbish and update these servers is far less than the resources needed to create new ones, further lowering emissions.
Cost-effective
Second-hand servers provide a high-performance solution at a fraction of the cost of new equipment, often saving businesses up to 70%.
This affordability factor allows companies to allocate funds to other crucial IT needs, such as software, security, and disaster recovery.
As always, you need to evaluate how they fit into your specific application and business needs.
If your original plan was to invest in three new servers, it may be more beneficial to consider four or five refurbished models.
It’s important to plan for more frequent refresh cycles with refurbished hardware—while new servers typically last 3-4 years, refurbished units may require updates every 2-3 years.
If your business has the budget for new equipment, it might be wise to allocate it to high-priority infrastructure and use refurbished servers as a backup or emergency solution.
Supports the Circular Economy
Businesses using second-hand equipment actively support the circular economy, a system focused on reusing, refurbishing, and recycling materials and products.
Rather than contributing to a linear economy that promotes constant production and waste, buying refurbished servers helps create a more sustainable technology ecosystem.
Don’t buy new; buy used!
So, if you’re on the fence about buying new or used, do yourself a favor and get on the pre-loved bandwagon—depending on your budget.
Just double-check that you’re buying from a reputable seller that is ideally partnered with server-leading brands like Dell. Most good companies will offer a good warranty too, further safeguarding your purchase.
If you’re looking to learn more about refurbished tech, read our blog on essential tips to guide your purchase or check out our full range of blogs at Tech Latest.
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