The Economic and Environmental Advantages of Buying Second-Hand Network Hardware
26 January 2024
Saving Money and the Planet: The Economic and Environmental Advantages of Buying Second-Hand Network Hardware
It might seem more profitable to invest in new network hardware to replace your old ones, but going with second-hand and refurbished network hardware has a number of advantages. Hardwear that has been reconditioned and recycled can provide high-quality networking at reasonable prices, while also containing features not always found in newer equipment. One of the most significant advantages of using pre-owned and used server equipment is the long-term environmental benefits. Buying second-hand network equipment helps reduce electronic waste while also conserving resources. In addition, investing in refurbished network hardware reduces the overall cost for new businesses. The following are a few ways second-hand network gear can help the environment.
1. Buying Second-Hand Equipment Saves Money
Unless you plan on using and maintaining your networking equipment on a long term basis, investing in the latest technology is often very costly. You will frequently find yourself paying exorbitant fees for the latest technology, yet this value will very quickly depreciate once newer technology is released, leaving you with a potential loss when you try to trade it in. Buying your networking equipment second-hand won’t give you the very latest technological features, but for many businesses, such features are unlikely to be essential in the short term. Instead, you will have access to a reliable and well-supported system at a fraction of its original cost, potentially saving your business a considerable amount of money.
2. Second-Hand Equipment Offers Better Reliability
While buying the latest networking equipment may promise you the latest technological advances, these features may not be as reliable as you might expect. There may be unforeseen faults with the latest hardware that, although corrected in future releases, may take some time to resolve with its first release. With repurposed hardware, you can be sure that it has been tried and tested, and can offer you a reliable service for an affordable cost. In addition, second-hand hardware may incorporate features that are missing from the latest hardware releases, which could in fact be more suitable for your business. Finally, refurbished network hardware may be more compatible with your current business compared with newer models which could require extra upgrades to meet the specific needs of your business, further driving up costs.
3. Buying Second-Hand Equipment Reduces Electronic Waste
When it comes to reducing the environmental impact of business activities, buying second-hand networking equipment is an excellent solution. When electronic equipment is discarded it often ends up in a landfill somewhere. This electronic waste often contains plastics and other hazardous materials which over time will leach into the soil and water table, polluting the surrounding area for centuries to come. In addition, many resources are used in the creation of new equipment, and the pollution from fossil fuels is often an unwelcome side effect that comes with the creation of new hardware. So a big advantage of purchasing a second-hand networking system is that it reduces the demand for new hardware, extending the lifespan of current equipment. In addition, it ensures the hardware remains useful for your business purposes instead of contributing to pollution.
4. Purchasing Second-Hand Equipment Conserves Resources
Oftentimes when looking at the latest networking equipment the high price tag relates to the materials used in its production. Many heavy and rare elements are used in producing the latest networking hardware, and the labour and resources used to mine, transport and refine these materials contribute to the high cost of purchasing new equipment. When it comes to a piece of electronic equipment’s carbon footprint, around 90% of it comes from its initial production. On the other hand, by purchasing equipment second-hand, you lessen the demand for these scarce elements and help ensure there’s enough to go around. With certain materials becoming harder to find and extract, it makes sense to retain what we have and protect the resources that remain.
5. Second-Hand Equipment Contributes to a Circular Economy
In most linear economic models, products are made and then disposed of when something newer becomes available. A circular economy is a concept that aims to reduce the amount of waste and pollution that results from producing new products and instead keep current working items in use for as long as possible. By purchasing refurbished networking equipment and contributing to a circular economy you can help reduce your overall environmental impact by cutting down on emissions and preserving the natural environment. In addition, by contributing to this circular economy you can create new economic opportunities when it comes to waste reduction, technological innovation and new employment opportunities.
Equipment HQ
Whether you need reconditioned servers, routers, or PCs, Equipment HQ can help. It is our mission to provide outstanding service on your network infrastructure as a team of competent and experienced consultants and engineers. Recondition your IT equipment today with Equipment HQ!
