How to make laptops more sustainable

Over the past decade, the manufacturing of corporate devices has increasingly focused on sustainability. Major technology companies like Dell, Apple, Lenovo, Samsung, HP, and Microsoft are now prioritizing eco-friendly materials, such as bio-based plastics and recycled metals. They’re also improving packaging, reducing waste and offsetting the CO₂ emissions produced during manufacturing.

But what happens after a device becomes part of our daily lives? What can we do to make our laptops more sustainable once they’re in use?

Understanding the typical corporate laptop lifecycle

In most organisations, laptops are used for one of two standard cycles:

• Refreshed every 3 years, or
• “Sweat” until end-of-life, around 5 years

The 3-year cycle often coincides with the manufacturer’s warranty. That’s not by chance: after three years, components may start showing wear depending on how heavily the device was used and how well it was maintained.

Unfortunately, many of these devices are then discarded, stored away, or disposed of often long before their full potential lifespan has been reached.

Why this approach isn’t sustainable

When a device is used for only 3–5 years and then discarded, it contributes to unnecessary e-waste, increased carbon emissions and a growing demand for new raw materials.

But what if we could extend that lifespan… not just by a few months, but to 7 years or more?

That’s the idea behind our Turn It Green initiative.

How the Turn It Green initiative extends laptop lifespans

Here’s how it works:

1. First Life (Years 0–3): A new laptop is issued to a corporate user and serves them for the first three years.
2. Second Life (Years 3–6): When the initial term ends, the device is returned to us. We securely data wipe it, upgrade components where possible, refresh its appearance and reintroduce it to the market for a second user. Each refurbished device is backed by a warranty to ensure quality and peace of mind.
3. Third Life (Years 6–7+): After another three years, the device comes back for a final light refurbishment, ready to serve a third user for at least one more year…and often longer.

By maintaining and reusing devices across multiple lifecycles, we keep laptops out of landfills and maximise their environmental and economic value.

The Environmental Benefits of extending laptop lifespans

Extending a laptop’s useful life has a direct positive impact on sustainability:

• Less demand for new devices means less manufacturing-related CO₂ emissions.
• Fewer raw materials need to be extracted from the earth. 
• Reduced e-waste, as devices remain in use for much longer.
• Greater circularity, keeping valuable components and materials in the economy instead of in landfills.

How it works financially

This program is designed so everyone benefits… both financially and environmentally.

First Users: Get access to brand new corporate devices at a reduced cost, since part of the device’s value is offset by its future reuse.

Second Users: Receive high quality refurbished laptops that look like new, typically 20–40% cheaper than buying new.

Third Users: Benefit from reliable devices at over 60% less than a brand-new model. This shared-value model ensures that each device delivers maximum return over its extended lifespan…for both the user and the environment.

Building a more sustainable IT Strategy

If your organisation has a strong focus on sustainability, your IT department can play a key role. By integrating lifecycle extension and refurbishment into your device management strategy, you can achieve cost savings, operational efficiency and genuine sustainability.

Talk to us about our Turn It Green initiative. Together, we can make technology more responsible, affordable and sustainable.