The Environmental Cost of New Laptops and What Businesses Can Do Differently
When most businesses invest in new laptops, their focus is understandably on performance, reliability, and price. But there’s a growing cost many are only just beginning to consider, the environmental impact.
Every new laptop carries with it a hidden environmental footprint: raw materials mined from the earth, energy-intensive manufacturing processes, shipping emissions, and eventual landfill contributions. Multiply that by dozens or hundreds of devices across an organisation, and the impact is staggering.
In a time where sustainability is no longer optional, but expected by employees, investors, clients, and communities, it’s time to rethink how we approach IT procurement.
The Real Impact of New Laptops on the Environment
Let’s break it down:
Raw Materials: A single laptop requires over 1,200kg of raw materials to produce, including rare earth metals, plastics, and aluminium. Many of these materials are mined in ways that damage ecosystems and exploit labour.
Manufacturing Emissions: Creating one new laptop emits 200-400kg of CO₂, equivalent to driving a petrol car over 1,000 miles.
Energy Use: The majority of a laptop’s total energy usage happens before it ever reaches the user, during extraction, assembly, and transport.
E-Waste: Over 50 million tonnes of electronic waste are generated globally each year, much of it from still-functional devices replaced too soon.
This environmental toll is invisible at the point of purchase, but it’s real, and businesses that buy new devices regularly are contributing more than they realise.
Why Remanufactured Laptops Are the Smarter Alternative
Remanufactured laptops dramatically reduce these environmental impacts by extending the life of existing hardware that’s still perfectly capable of performing professional tasks.
Here’s how:
No new materials required, reducing demand for mining and manufacturing
Minimal emissions, refurbishment uses a fraction of the energy of building new
Zero additional e-waste, each machine reused is one less heading to landfill
Closed-loop approach, extending lifecycle instead of feeding linear consumption
In effect, every remanufactured laptop is a vote against wasteful, resource-heavy production cycles, without sacrificing functionality, speed, or quality.
Aligning Procurement with Sustainability Goals
If your business has ESG targets, carbon reporting obligations, or internal sustainability goals, remanufactured hardware should be part of your procurement strategy. It supports:
Scope 3 emissions reductions, addressing indirect emissions from purchased goods
CSR and ethical sourcing policies, particularly for public sector or B Corp companies
Positive PR and brand reputation, clients and staff increasingly value companies that walk the talk
Internal culture shifts, where sustainability isn’t siloed in HR or marketing, but built into operations
By switching from new to remanufactured laptops, companies can dramatically reduce their IT-related emissions and lead by example.
Common Objections, Answered
“Don’t remanufactured laptops die sooner?”
Not if done properly. Ayoo’s devices are tested, reconditioned, and performance-certified. Many are built on enterprise hardware rated for 5–7 years of use. With professional remanufacturing, you can expect 3+ years of reliable operation.
“What if specs are outdated?”
We only stock devices that can meet modern business demands. That means SSDs, 8GB+ RAM, fast processors, and clean OS installs. If it wouldn’t work for our team, we wouldn’t sell it.
“Isn’t new safer?”
The real safety comes from consistency, testing, and support, not packaging. Every Ayoo laptop comes with a warranty, clear documentation, and UK-based support.
What Businesses Can Do Differently
You don’t have to overhaul your entire operation to make a meaningful difference. Here’s what you can do today:
Audit your upcoming hardware needs, how many new laptops do you really need?
Speak to us about equivalent remanufactured options
Set internal sustainability criteria for procurement decisions
Consider a pilot rollout of remanufactured laptops for remote staff or new hires
Include your tech stack in ESG reporting to show tangible action
Small changes in purchasing decisions can lead to big wins, for your budget, your staff, and the planet.
Better Tech Doesn’t Have to Cost the Earth
The tech industry is built on fast cycles and disposable thinking. But your business doesn’t have to be. By choosing remanufactured laptops, you're not just saving money, you're reducing waste, conserving resources, and building a more resilient IT strategy.
At Ayoo, we make it easy to source high-quality, environmentally responsible laptops without compromise. Join the growing number of UK organisations making smarter, greener decisions with their IT procurement.
