The Power of IT Recycling: Cut Your Organisation’s Carbon Footprint

As of 2026, sustainable IT is no longer just a corporate "nice-to-have", it's a strategic necessity driven by tightening ESG regulations, rising cost of new devices, memory shortages and the urgent need to address the global e-waste crisis.

E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream, and IT now accounts for approximately 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Worryingly, the UK has the second-highest average e-waste per capita of any country.

IT Recycling makes environmental and financial sense, as does choosing refurbished equipment. Both are key ways for organisations to slash their carbon footprint and to save money.

The Real Impact: New vs. Refurbished

The environmental cost of a new device is "paid" before it is even switched on because approximately 80% of a computer's lifetime carbon emissions occur during manufacturing.

Every refurbished laptop for example, saves roughly 213kg of CO2 emissions, compared with buying a new equivalent. That’s equivalent to driving over 3,000 miles in a petrol car, but reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while essential, is only part of the story.

Why 2026 is the Year for "Circular IT"

Recycling IT equipment does more than just save emissions; it preserves the planet's finite resources. Here are some startling facts:

• Water Conservation: 400 gallons of water per device, with smartphones using even more water!
• Resource extraction: Producing one laptop involves digging and mining roughly 1,200kg of earth to find rare metals like gold, lithium, and cobalt.
• E-Waste Prevention: With global e-waste projected to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030, refurbishing keeps hazardous materials like lead and mercury out of landfills.
• Transportation footprint: As the devices are already in the UK, you will not be impacted by global transportation, which is currently in the supply chain with new products.
• Environmental harm: Toxic substances such as mercury can seep into soil and groundwater from improper disposal. At Converge, we are zero-avoidable-waste-to-landfill accredited, ensuring this does not happen even when a device cannot be recycled.

Beyond Carbon: Think people

The environment matters, but so do people. Buying IT hardware and services sustainably helps to:

• Reduce raw material extraction - which is essential for new electronic devices, is a high-risk area for forced labour and child labour, in certain countries, with the prospect of so-called ‘resource wars’ growing all the time. Reduce the risk and demand by choosing refurbished items.
• Enhance employment and opportunity - We are proud to be a real living wage employer providing recycling roles to colleagues across the UK, supporting the public and private sector.
• Reduce your costs - With our extensive range, we can provide refurbished devices at significant savings to meet the technology needs across the community.
• Provide peace of mind – With our 12-month warranty, certified data erasure and a UK-based customer service team ready to support.

How your organisation can take action

There are some simple things you can do that will make a big difference:

• Prioritise "reuse first": Before buying new, check if our refurbished units meet your needs for non-critical workloads or general office tasks.
• Audit your assets: We can support your existing assets, securely wipe data and return pre-owned equipment to the circular market.
• Track your gains: Use the carbon savings from refurbished hardware to bolster your annual sustainability reports.
• Understanding your infrastructure: We can help you maximise your existing assets and help with designing energy-saving systems.

While there’s often a perception that making sustainable buying decisions is costly, the opposite is often true. You can make money by recycling unwanted devices, reduce costs and emissions by choosing refurbished replacements and benefit both people and the planet in a myriad of ways. Download the Stone 360 app to book an IT collection, and be part of the solution to e-waste.