The production of components, their assembly, transportation and packaging—all these phases of computer design are very energy intensive. For this reason, many IT manufacturers have focussed extremely on this sector by taking over eco-design approaches and optimising their logistics.

The end user, the company and the employees that use these devices also have the potential to make a difference in this regard. One of the possibilities is to reuse the product and give it a second life.  

 

Give your PCs a second life

Usually, computers are renewed every three to five years. This is how long it normally takes for the devices to become slow, lose performance and increase downtime for employees.

It’s in moments like these that the ecological footprint of a company can become very large. The simplest way to handle this is the uncomplicated and full disposal of the devices. The most environmentally friendly option is to give them a second life.

There are several options to do so. In principle the general condition of the devices must be checked to determine whether any of the hardware has to be repaired and can be used for the device exchange. Some components could be used, for example, to repair other devices. This means, despite the renewal of the devices, it is possible to extend the lifespan through an overhaul and to prevent that a device lands in the waste while it’s in good condition.

The 2021 edition of the Green IT Benchmark assumes that the reuse of components or the device as a whole could significantly extend the life of the products
(source: https://club.greenit.fr/doc/2021-10-GreenIT.fr-Benchmark_Green_IT_2021-rapport-V3.pdf).

 

While the use rate of the devices remains relatively stable, the life span is increasing substantially in the most advanced companies in which all devices are designated for further external use.… As the following table shows, the life span is significantly extended from +11% to +26% in three years. 

HARDWARE 2017 2020 DEVELOPMENT
DESKTOP PC 5.5 6.2 +13%

NOTEBOOK

4.7 5.9 +26%
SCREEN 6.3 7 +11%
WI-FI ACCESS POINT 5.3 6.2 +17%

Systematic and industrial reuse must be taken into account when purchasing new equipment. In addition, the initial service life must be kept sufficiently short in order to achieve maximum residual value both from an economic point of view and in terms of use. Normally, companies follow the warranty period of 3 or 5 years. For systematic reuse, you also need a reputable partner for the general overhaul of the equipment.

The role of Bechtle

Bechtle also plays its part as an IT reseller when it comes to giving its customers’ products a second life. This is why the Bechtle Group introduced the Replay Services at the end of 2021.

Replay Services make the return of old devices very simple, supporting the entire process, from picking up hardware, diagnostics, evaluation and deletion to the certified removal of data or the repair of devices.

 

Want to find out more about our Replay Services? Download our whitepaper!


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