50 Shades of Refurbishment: The Essential Checklist For Better Hardware

You know by now that we’re passionate about refurbishment here at Go Communications. It’s a commitment to sustainability, smarter resource management and helping our customers thrive without needing to compromise on quality.

Lots of people ask me about why refurbished kit is better, and as you can imagine I can talk about it for hours - I’ve also written loads about it in the past. But as a thought experiment I asked ChatGPT to generate 50 benefits of using refurbished equipment. And it delivered them!

So I set myself the challenge - bunch them together into categories and explain each benefit. So without further ado, here’s our essential checklist of why refurbished kit can benefit you - my 50 Shades of Refurbishment.

The 50 Benefits of Refurbished Equipment

1. Cost Savings
2. Reduced CO? Footprint
3. Support for Circular Economy
4. Waste Reduction
5. Lower Energy Consumption
6. ESG Reporting
7. Sustainable Procurement
8. Shorter Lead Times
9. No Initial Depreciation
10. Compliance with Green Policies
11. Conservation of Raw Materials
12. Reduced Water Usage
13. Faster ROI
14. Tax Benefits
15. Supporting Local Refurbishing Businesses
16. Flexibility in Budgeting
17. Lifecycle Extension Programs
18. Minimised Environmental Impact
19. Less Dependency on New Supply Chains
20. Access to Legacy Equipment
21. Reduced Packaging Waste
22. Avoids “Planned Obsolescence”
23. Alignment with Green Certifications
24. Flexibility for Scaling
25. Simpler, More Affordable Upgrades
26. Enhanced Green Brand Image
27. Extended Device Longevity
28. Carbon Credit Opportunities
29. Increased Access to Spare Parts
30. Simplicity in Equipment Testing
31. Third-Party Maintenance Options
32. Eliminates the Need for Frequent Upgrades
33. Reduced Downtime Risk
34. Meeting Green Government Procurement Criteria
35. Supports Sustainability in IT Planning
36. Boosts Employee Morale
37. Meeting Customer Sustainability Expectations
38. Aligns with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
39. Encourages a Culture of Reuse
40. Reduced IT Equipment Decommissioning Costs
41. Environmental Reporting Compliance
42. Supports Renewable Resources
43. Carbon Offset Contribution
44. Avoidance of Toxic Materials
45. Enhanced Business Resilience
46. Immediate Environmental Impact
47. Compliance with Environmental Audits
48. Promotes an Efficient IT Lifecycle
49. Reduced Logistics Footprint
50. Showcases Commitment to Future Generations

Making the Most of Your Budget

Refurbished equipment delivers unbeatable financial value, helping businesses to stretch their budgets - especially needed with the current state of the economy. With the price of refurbished kit as much as 50% lower than new, companies can reallocate resources to other, more strategic areas. And as an added benefit, unlike new equipment, refurbished equipment avoids steep depreciation, which means it retains more of its value if it gets resold.

The cost savings lead to a better ROI - and in some regions, businesses can even take advantage of tax benefits for choosing sustainable options. This flexibility ensures businesses can maintain high-performance IT systems without compromising on quality.

Checklist Benefits: Cost Savings (1) No Initial Depreciation (9) Faster ROI (13) Tax Benefits (14) Flexibility in Budgeting (16)

A Greener IT Strategy

Sustainability is now a watchword for many businesses, and refurbished equipment helps them meet their goals. By extending the life cycle of devices, companies reduce the need for new manufacturing, cutting carbon emissions and conserving raw materials. Refurbished hardware also supports the circular economy by keeping resources in use and reducing e-waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Manufacturing new IT equipment also consumes significant energy and water, and by choosing refurbished, businesses can drastically reduce their environmental footprint. These benefits align with ESG goals and procurement policies, giving companies a sustainability win!

Checklist Benefits: Reduced CO? Footprint (2) Support for Circular Economy (3) Waste Reduction (4) Lower Energy Consumption (5) ESG Reporting (6) Sustainable Procurement (7) Conservation of Raw Materials (11) Reduced Water Usage (12) Minimised Environmental Impact (18) Reduced Packaging Waste (21) Reduced IT Equipment Decommissioning Costs (40) Supports Renewable Resources (42) Immediate Environmental Impact (46) Promotes an Efficient IT Lifecycle (48)

Performance Without Compromise

I know a lot of businesses worry that refurbished equipment gives a worse performance than brand-new kit. This may have been true years ago, but today each device undergoes rigorous testing and certification to meet (or exceed!) industry standards.

Beyond sheer performance, refurbished equipment can have compatibility advantages for organisations still relying on legacy systems. Plus, the immediate availability of refurbished hardware allows businesses to bypass the supply chain delays often associated with new equipment. This makes it a great choice for urgent replacements, upgrades or temporary setups.?

Checklist Benefits: Shorter Lead Times (8) Lifecycle Extension Programs (17) Access to Legacy Equipment (20) Avoids “Planned Obsolescence” (22) Simpler, More Affordable Upgrades (25) Extended Device Longevity (27) Increased Access to Spare Parts (29) Simplicity in Equipment Testing (30) Third-Party Maintenance Options (31) Eliminates the Need for Frequent Upgrades (32)

Flexibility and Scalability

Resilience is key in today’s challenging business environment and refurbished equipment is highly adaptable. The lower price point makes it easier for companies to scale operations or establish temporary networks without incurring massive costs. Whether responding to market changes or expanding into new regions, businesses can act quickly without breaking their budgets.

Refurbished hardware also reduces dependency on global supply chains, which have recently been the subject of delays and disruptions. And even better - by sourcing refurbished equipment locally, companies can reduce the carbon emissions associated with transportation.

Checklist Benefits: Supporting Local Refurbishing Businesses (15) Less Dependency on New Supply Chains (19) Flexibility for Scaling (24) Reduced Downtime Risk (33) Supports Sustainability in IT Planning (35) Enhanced Business Resilience (45) Reduced Logistics Footprint (49)

An Approach That Resonates

Sustainability is no longer just a business strategy - it’s a value that customers seek out. By incorporating refurbished equipment, businesses can proudly demonstrate their commitment to environmentally responsible practices.

And it’s not just customers - employees also benefit from working for an organisation that prioritises sustainability. A clear dedication to environmental and social responsibility boosts morale and engagement, creating a positive work culture.

Checklist Benefits: Compliance with Green Policies (10) Alignment with Green Certifications (23) Enhanced Green Brand Image (26) Boosts Employee Morale (36) Meeting Customer Sustainability Expectations (37) Aligns with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) (38) Showcases Commitment to Future Generations (50)

Meeting Regulatory Standards

With stricter environmental regulations and procurement criteria, refurbished equipment offers a simple way to ensure compliance. Many governments and organisations now favour vendors that align with green procurement policies and choosing refurbished hardware helps businesses meet these standards.?

Checklist Benefits: Carbon Credit Opportunities (28) Meeting Green Government Procurement Criteria (34) Encourages a Culture of Reuse (39) Environmental Reporting Compliance (41) Carbon Offset Contribution (43) Avoidance of Toxic Materials (44) Compliance with Environmental Audits (47)

Final Thoughts

At Go Communications, we’re proud to champion a more sustainable approach and help our customers see the value of high-quality refurbishment. Whether you’re looking to save money, reduce your environmental impact or build a more resilient hardware strategy, refurbished equipment is the way forward - and there are 50 whole reasons why!

Until next time,

David