- A critical mass (40%) of IT leaders believe that within the next five years, one in five (20%) enterprise laptops bought will be pre-used
- Most believe that private and public sector users of laptops (65%) will be the key driver of this adoption
- Most believe OEMs (85%) will be the barrier to an even faster adoption
- Speakers at the Re: Sustainable IT Summit urge IT and sustainability leaders in the private and public sector to review laptop procurement plans
A critical mass (40%) of IT leaders believe one in five laptops bought by enterprises will be pre-used by 2028, according to a poll1 by Circular Computing. The survey of IT leaders from Microsoft, Dell, HP, Atos, Lenovo and others attending Circular Computing’s Re: Sustainable IT Summit, explored avenues to circularity in the IT sector.
An overwhelming majority (86%) of those surveyed believe this critical milestone will be hit by 2032, but a sizeable minority (40%) believe this milestone will be hit by 2028.
Those pointing to a slower adoption rate highlighted one significant hurdle, manufacturers (OEMs). 85% believe that OEMs will be the main barrier to speed of adoption. Furthermore, 65% believe that end users have the power to drive faster adoption by demanding this of suppliers.
According to analysis by IT software company Nexthink2 delivered at the Summit, more than three quarters (76%) of the world’s top computer models can be remanufactured, a thorough process invented by Circular Computing to bring pre-used laptops to a condition certified to be ‘equal to or better than new’. These laptops produce just 6.34% of the CO2 emissions compared with an average new laptop and cost up to 40% less3.
The timing couldn’t be more poignant. The IT industry faces one of its biggest sustainability tests yet, as Microsoft prepares to end Windows 10 support for its laptops in October next year. It is estimated that 240million PCs could become e-waste as a result, according to Canalys4, a leading global technology market analyst firm that spoke at the Summit.
Rod Neale, Founder and CEO of Circular Computing: “Our recent Summit was as much a rallying cry as it was an eye opener for those in the driving seat in our industry, who I hope now are starting to see remanufacturing as the new new – and a way to achieve circularity in the IT sector.
“Overall, the consensus is clear: pre-used tech will be the future for enterprises. The question is how quickly are we going to get there, and who gets the glory when we do?”
Circular Computing is urging IT and sustainability leaders across the private and public sector to take one simple step towards improving the sustainability of their IT infrastructure, by calculating how many people in their organisation need state-of-the-art laptops, and how many are happy to be supplied with one that looks and performs like new. The answer, it hopes, will help to tackle e-waste, curb CO2e emissions, and help organisations meet their 2030 climate targets.
Survey details
1 Survey of 111 leaders from the IT industry congregated at the Re: Sustainable IT Summit on 23rd April 2024. Attendees included representatives from: Atos, Bechtle, CHG, Circular IT Group, COMM2IG, Computacenter, RDC, Context, Dustin, Elanders, Elitecom, Enviroserve, Exertis, Flex, Flex IT, Foxway, IT Xero, HPE Financial Services, Lenovo, Nexthink, Procurri, HSBC, ReuseIT, Softcat, Total IT Global, Reverse Logistics Association, Econocom, Drake & Farrel, Stone, Advania, HP, Quantum, Blancco, Sharaf DG, DLL Financial Solutions Partner, Microsoft, Close the Loop, BSI, DHL Supply Chain, Qrent, PureWrx, MTR, MTN, Ingram Micro, Ingram Micro Lifecyle, Refurbed, InnoVent, Google, Dell, TD Synnex, Canalys, Jacky’s Retail, ReCommerce, Canon, Iron Mountain, University of Limerick, WDMI, CDTI, VAD, Green IT, Foxconn, CSI Leasing, NTT Data, Closing the Loop, SIMS Lifecycle Services.
2 Research conducted by IT software company Nexthink in 2024
4 Research conducted by leading global technology market analyst firm Canalys in 2024
About Circular Computing™
Circular Computing™ is the global leader in the remanufacturing of laptops, on a mission to create a more ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible way to buy enterprise-grade IT.
Operating from its state-of-the-art remanufacturing facility, Circular Computing has the world’s first and only BSI Kitemark™ for remanufactured laptops, certifying that it produces products ‘equal to or better than new’ as required by the BS standard BS8887-220 and BS8887-211. Through its 360-point stage Circular Remanufacturing Process, Circular Computing delivers HP, Dell and Lenovo laptops that look and perform like new, all whilst ensuring carbon-neutral processes and end-product.
Circular Computing’s Circular Remanufacturing Process delivers the innovative alternative to ’new’, going above and beyond a cosmetically improved finish to ensure an intense focus on performance and reliability. Through its reforestation drive, which plants 5 trees for every device sold, otherwise vulnerable families are employed. These social projects create shade, cloud and ultimately rain. There is also bio-diversity in the environment, and of course, it is one of the best natural carbon sinks available on the planet.
Please visit: www.circularcomputing.com
