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News

Businesses increasingly choosing refurbished devices when upgrading IT

UK organisations are taking a more sustainable approach to their IT estate management, with refurbished devices becoming a more environmentally responsible choice for those looking to update hardware, new research has found. Three in five (59%) organisations currently purchase refurbished hardware and a quarter purchase refurbished IT equipment where possible, while 42% purchase a mix of refurbished and new. Environmental considerations (55%) and value for money (55%) were identified as the top reasons organisations opt for refurbished hardware. However, some survey respondents had concerns around the quality (36%) and longevity (36%) of the equipment, as well as the guarantees they come with (34%).

The survey of over 250 senior decision makers with responsibility for green initiatives across public and private sector organisations by ICT solutions provider, Stone Group, found that organisations are also taking a more sustainable approach to IT assets at end of life through reuse or recycling initiatives. Two in five businesses donate old IT hardware to charities or schools (41%), while a third restore and keep them (32%) or use an IT asset disposal facility (31%) to responsibly recycle their ageing, redundant or broken hardware. A further 26% of respondents said they plan to use an ITAD facility in the next 12-24 months.

When asked why they use an ITAD service, the secure removal of data from devices came top of the list, identified by 40% of respondents. However, ironically, when the respondents who do not currently use an ITAD service were asked why, the secure removal of data was identified as the top concern deterring them from it (46%).

Tim Westbrook, director at Stone Group, commented, “With 53.6 million metric tonnes of global e-waste generated just last year alone, we need to urgently reconsider how we think about, purchase, and dispose of our IT. However, there still appears to be widespread misconceptions around the reliability of refurbished devices and recycling options available.

“Refurbished devices are a cost-effective and sustainable way of updating IT estates – and we’ve seen just how crucial these have been to schools and colleges to enable remote learning throughout the pandemic. However, to ensure the quality of devices, organisations need to ensure they’re working with a fully accredited refurbisher, and that the devices they purchase come with warranty and upgrade options to future-proof the investment. These warranties are as good as those that come with the purchase of a new device.

“Organisations can also overcome concerns around IT asset disposal and data by ensuring that their ITAD partner uses best in class data erasure software to securely remove all data from hard drives before the device is refurbished or recycled.

“To help time-poor organisations manage the ITAD process, we’ve developed a dedicated app, Stone 360, to help them quickly and easily organise collection of their redundant devices and hardware for recycling or refurbishment. The process is quick and easy and allows businesses to reduce the negative impact of their e-waste on the environment, while doing their bit for a greener IT supply chain.”

Please visit: https://www.stonegroup.co.uk/

News, Sustainability

Sustainability still a top priority for businesses in spite of Covid-19 and profitability pressures

Sustainability remains a top priority for over a third (37%) of businesses, in spite of Covid-19 recovery and profitability concerns. New research reveals that organisations are even prioritising sustainability ahead of preparing for hard recession, growth plans, and managing post-Brexit challenges.

The survey of over 250 senior decision makers with responsibility for green initiatives across public and private sector organisations by leading UK ICT solutions provider, Stone Group, found that almost half (45%) of businesses have decided to take sustainability more seriously, while for 32% it continues to be a big focus.

Of the respondents that said their organisation was already implementing environmental initiatives, 53% said the main driver was ethical beliefs, and 41% cited cost benefits. The supply chain topped the list of green areas of focus for almost half (46%) of organisations, followed by facilities (39%), logistics (37%) and IT estate management of ageing hardware (36%).

The driving force behind these different initiatives appears to vary: 37% of respondents said their organisation have set up a ‘green task force’ to drive environmental change and a third said their organisation had appointed a sustainability manager. The research showed that sustainability efforts are typically led by or contributed to by those in senior management positions. Three in five respondents said their CEO was involved in their organisation’s green initiatives, while over half have managers (53%) or heads of departments (51%) involved.

The survey findings also indicate that organisations are starting to take a more sustainable approach to their IT estates, with 59% claiming to purchase refurbished hardware, and 31% claiming to use an IT asset disposal service. However, one in five respondents said they still send their old IT to landfill.

“It’s incredibly positive to see so many organisations taking steps towards becoming more sustainable. In fact, our research showed that the majority of respondents place sustainability even higher up the business agenda than preparing for recession, growth plans, and managing post-Brexit challenges,” commented Tim Westbrook, director at Stone Group.

The research shows that there appears to be a disconnect between the number of organisations that claim sustainability is important to them, and those taking real, effective action. 34% of respondents claimed a lack of resource is preventing them from moving towards their goals, while 31% said the cost of investment in initiatives is too high. However, Stone Group believes that excessive resources or investment aren’t always needed to make effective sustainable change.

Westbrook continues: “A sustainable approach to IT hardware purchasing and disposal is an area that should not be overlooked, and one where fast and widespread change is crucial, as 53.6 million metric tonnes of global e-waste was generated just last year alone.

“To help tackle this challenge, we’ve recently launched our Stone 360 e-waste recycling app, designed to make it easy for organisations to arrange collection of their redundant IT equipment, receive rebates, and have a tree planted on their behalf. All items are then taken to our dedicated IT asset disposal (ITAD) facility where they are securely recycled or refurbished. The app is designed to be quick and easy for organisations to use, while helping to significantly reduce their carbon footprint.”

Charity & CSR, IT Support, News

Stone Group invests in the National Forest to encourage more businesses to recycle ageing IT

Leading UK ICT solutions provider, Stone Group, has announced its partnership with the National Forest, to help it fulfil its commitment to support tree planting on behalf of its customers when they recycle their old IT equipment through the new Stone 360 app.

Launched last month, the app allows organisations to arrange collection of their ageing or redundant IT equipment to be taken to Stone’s dedicated IT asset disposal (ITAD) facility, where they are securely recycled or refurbished. Users can either cash in the value of their recycled goods or collect points to purchase refurbished or new IT from Stone.

Staffordshire-based Stone Group elected the National Forest as its partner to support positive local environmental change, assisting the charity in its mission to prove that nature, society and the economy can work in harmony so that we all have a positive future. The three-year agreement will simultaneously support Stone in its core value of sustainability and its aim to encourage customers to recycle e-waste and generate donations in support of the National Forest.

Covering 200 square miles of the Midlands, the National Forest spans parts of Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire.

Users of Stone 360 are able to track their contribution to the National Forest through the app. For every 1000 points earned, a tree will be added to their ‘virtual woodland’ and a donation made to the National Forest. The partnership will result in a minimum of 400 trees planted in the National Forest on behalf of customers per annum, with funds donated through collections also put towards its woodland management, education, and community programmes.

Tim Westbrook, director at Stone Group, commented, “With 53.6 million metric tonnes of global e-waste generated just last year alone, the IT industry faces an enormous challenge in tackling the responsible disposal of IT hardware such as laptops, desktops, monitors and printers.

“It’s crucial that the IT industry does more to minimise its negative impact on the environment and we think it’s time resellers stepped up to the challenge. At the end of the day it’s the resellers who have the customer relationships and sell them new hardware.
“While we’re confident that the ease, convenience, and benefits, of the Stone 360 app will be enough to get UK businesses and organisations on board with our mission and making simple changes that will have a big impact, we’re delighted to be able to offer our customers the opportunity to also support the creation and management of new woodlands in the National Forest. Not only should this further encourage responsible disposal of e-waste and reduce the harm it causes to the environment, but by supporting the Forest, we’re also proactively making a positive contribution.”

David Bourque, director of development at the National Forest, commented, “The National Forest is a nationally inspiring place working on sustainability, in partnership with business, delivering positive change. Like Stone Group, we are solutions focused and by working with business partners who adopt sustainable solutions we can achieve a positive future together.”

The Stone 360 app is available on both iOS and Android devices.