THE POWER OF REFURBISHED MACHINES

WHY SELECTA IS INVESTING IN CIRCULAR ECONOMY

At Selecta, sustainability isn’t just a trend - it’s a responsibility. That’s why we are heavily investing in refurbished vending and coffee machines, combining economic benefits with a strong commitment to the environment. Instead of discarding machines after just a few years, we extend their lifespan, reduce waste, and minimize environmental impact, all while delivering the same high-quality experience to our clients.

To dive deeper into how this works, we spoke with Elnur Iusupov , Workshop Production Manager at Selecta Italia Headquarters in Peschiera Borromeo, Milan, who leads the dedicated team ensuring that refurbished machines meet the highest standards.

Refurbished machines: a smart and sustainable choice

“Refurbished machines offer the same performance and reliability as new ones,” explains Elnur Iusupov. “Every machine that leaves our workshop is carefully reconditioned to comply with all safety regulations and technical requirements. Our goal is to make sure clients get a machine that looks and functions just like new, while also reducing environmental impact.”

So, what exactly happens during the refurbishment process?

??? Complete disassembly: each machine is taken apart, washed, and deep-cleaned.

?? Replacement of all wear parts: components like seals, rubber parts, and other key elements are changed.

?? Technical and mechanical checks: all machines undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet the same quality as a brand-new model.

?? Aesthetic restoration: machines are repainted to ensure a modern, like-new appearance.

“At Selecta Italy, around 70% of the machines we install are refurbished, while only 30% are new,” says Elnur. “This allows us to meet growing demand while reducing costs and waste.”

Ensuring quality & reliability: the role of our quality control team

A common concern with refurbished machines is reliability. That’s why Selecta has taken an extra step to guarantee quality.

“In 2024, we established a dedicated quality control department with three experienced technicians, each with an average of 25 years of expertise,” Elnur highlights. “Their role is to conduct final testing and quality control before machines are deployed to clients.”

The quality control process follows a strict 25-point checklist, ensuring every refurbished vending machine performs flawlessly. Some of the key checks include:

?? Software functionality testing

?? Water leakage prevention

?? Boiler and water temperature check

?? Refrigeration system performance

? Coffee and soluble drink quality assessment

? Electrical safety and label verification

“We’ve seen real impact - thanks to these enhancements, we increased the quality of our refurbished machines by 17% in just one year,” Elnur adds.

Why choose refurbished?

For clients, refurbished machines deliver the same great experience as new machines, but with added benefits:

?? Cost-effective solution – lower investment while maintaining premium service quality.

?? More reliable performance – fully checked and tested, leading to fewer breakdowns and less service downtime.

?? Smoother operations – a well-maintained machine means fewer technician call-outs, reducing unnecessary emissions.

?? Modern aesthetics – a common misconception is that refurbished machines look outdated, but Selecta ensures every machine is completely repainted and refreshed to look as good as new.

?“Some clients worry that a refurbished machine won’t match the performance of a new one,” Elnur acknowledges. “But we ensure every unit meets the highest standards, both in function and appearance.”

A circular economy approach: the environmental impact

The benefits of refurbished machines go beyond cost savings - they contribute to a more sustainable future.

???Extending product lifespan & reducing waste - by refurbishing machines instead of replacing them, around 80% of components can be reused. This significantly cuts down on waste, reducing landfill contributions by approximately 60%. Instead of discarding valuable materials, refurbishment keeps machines in use longer, following a circular economy approach.

???Saving water -?manufacturing a new vending machine requires large amounts of water, mainly for extracting and processing raw materials. Studies estimate that refurbishment reduces water demand by about 65%, helping to conserve thousands of liters per machine. This means less strain on water resources while still delivering high-quality performance.

????Preventing E-Waste -?vending machines contain electronic components, wiring, and display screens, all of which contribute to e-waste when discarded. Refurbishment can prevent up to 70% of this waste by extending the lifespan of key parts, keeping electronics out of landfills and reducing the environmental burden of disposal.

???Preserving natural resources - producing a vending machine requires significant amounts of steel, aluminum, and copper. By refurbishing instead of manufacturing new units, the demand for these raw materials drops by an estimated 30-40%. This means less mining, lower energy use, and a reduced environmental footprint.

???Lower CO? emissions & energy savings - the production of a new vending machine generates a significant carbon footprint, with emissions coming from raw material processing, transportation, and manufacturing. Refurbishment lowers total emissions by around 40%, mainly by avoiding the need for new materials.

“Reconditioning is an essential part of a circular economy, where we aim to keep products in use for as long as possible,” says Elnur. “This approach is not just good for business - it’s good for the planet.”

At Selecta, we don’t just talk about sustainability - we integrate it into our operations. By choosing refurbished machines, our clients get a reliable, high-performing solution while actively contributing to a greener, more circular economy.

As Elnur sums up: “Refurbishment is not about old machines - it’s about giving technology a second life in a way that benefits both businesses and the environment.”

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#JoyToGo #FoodTech #CSR #CircularEconomy #EnvironmentalImpact #Refurbishment

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Alice Rita Bersani Simona Ettori Elnur Iusupov Andreas Fetscher Adrian Mourarach