PoliMonitor’s Net Zero Commitment: The Benefits of Buying Used

By Alex Catlow

As part of Polimonitor’s commitment to become net zero during 2023 I have been looking at how used technology equipment can reduce the carbon footprint of a business and also save it money.

The manufacture of electronic equipment is emission intensive, laptops are particularly bad. The manufacture of a MacBook Pro emits 394kg CO2 equivalent this compares to a return economy flight to northern Spain of 315kg CO2e. Quite often people are unaware of the emissions involved in manufacture of new goods. This is where buying used comes in.

There is often a significant green premium when choosing a more environmentally friendly option. But fortunately for the planet and the bottom line buying used equipment is significantly better for the environment and cheaper. Here are some examples.

A new Dell 27 inch LCD monitor is £129 and emits 326kg of CO2e during manufacture. A similar Dell 22 inch monitor from a reseller on eBay was £27.49 just 20% of the price of a new one. A saving of just over £100 and 326kg of CO2e.

Televisions are the same, the most recent research I could find (from 2010) suggests that manufacturing a TV emits 300 kg of CO2e. A new Lg TV costs £500 whereas I found a similar one on eBay for £108 again 22% of the price of a new one.

Screens and TV’s are relatively risk free but many companies might be worried about using used laptops but there are companies out there who can help www.backmarket.co.uk offer refurbished tech and offer a 12 month warranty as well as free delivery and prices 44% less than new.

Buying things off eBay can seem a bit of a hassle but in my own personal experience there are some real bargains out there and as you can see there are real savings both in terms of cost and for the environment.

At Polimonitor we have recently bought all our screens second hand saving significant amounts of emissions.