Sustainable computing solutions
For over 24 years, Hardware Associates have been providing premium quality Dell, HP, Lenovo and Apple repurposed IT hardware. Not only do our customers benefit from significant financial savings when they choose to buy their desktops and laptops from us, they are also making a significant impact on the environment.
A high-quality, reliable alternative; repurposed IT
By purchasing refurbished IT equipment instead of new, the lifecycle of a desktop or laptop can be extended by approximately six years. Each year thousands of new computers are purchased – with the now redundant hardware going into landfill around the world. Hardware Associates are committed to reducing the environmental impact of IT by providing customers with a high quality, reliable alternative, repurposed IT equipment.
The environmental impact of repurposed IT
By choosing repurposed IT equipment, not only can our customers save up to 40%; essentially buying 2.5 computers for the price of 1 new, they can also reduce their environmental impact.
Repurposed IT:
- Reduces landfill
- Reduces reliance on precious core minerals
- Reduces carbon footprint
To find out how your business can benefit from choosing repurposed IT hardware, get in touch today 01428 707900 sales@hardwarespares.com or send us a message.
Computer recycling at Hardware Associates
As a technology organisation we have a responsibility to the environment, and we like to support our customers in achieving their green objectives too. The very heart of what we do is based around our three green principals:
- Reduce
- Repair
- Recycle
We send minimal amounts of waste to landfill and believe that almost every element of a computer, laptop or server can be reused or recycled in some way. Green packaging is also at the front of our minds and we even reuse boxes to keep our impact on the environment to a minimum.
The best computer, server and laptop recycling services
At Hardware Associates we’ve partnered with organisations to collect their redundant stock while they’re refreshing entire suites of hardware. By doing this, we’ve saved these large amounts of digital waste from going to landfill, and will find a way to reuse and refurbish all of it. Often organisations only want the very latest tech and so plenty of the stock we get is of the highest quality but just a year or two old.
We also buy large quantities of old lease equipment for refurbishment and resale. We can even buy your old and redundant IT equipment, no matter how old or how broken it appears. Once this stock is in our warehouse we will either refurbish the laptop, computer or server, or strip it down and recycle the component computer parts.
Recycling spare computer parts responsibly
Our ethos is to care for the planet by ensuring as little goes to waste as possible. Any spare parts that cannot be reused are sold on again. Motherboards and printed circuit boards (PCBs) are sold for gold, and lithium batteries and chassis are recycled. Any electrical equipment is handled and disposed of in accordance with the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2006.
A low carbon footprint
When consumers buy a new computer it is nearly always manufactured in Asia, leaving each individual new device with an enormous carbon footprint. We refurbish all our computers and laptops right here in the UK, so each product you buy from us will be as environmentally friendly as possible, even if it once came from Asia.
Green packaging and quality refurbished products
The way a product is marketed and the way it is packaged may give the average consumer a buzz of excitement, but we know that this feeling is fleeting. Once the shiny packaging is taken off the excitement quickly wears off
With refurbished tech at Hardware Associates, you may be getting a product that has been used before or has had a fault repaired, but you’ll be getting yourself a bargain without compromising on a quality product which we can assure you is in great condition, just without the shiny packaging.
While new products seem to have never-ending amounts of plastic boxes, bags and covers, if you buy a product from us you may be surprised to see that even our boxes are reused. Any we can’t use are shredded and used as void fill instead of buying it in new and contributing to more waste. We do this to reduce the impact our business has on the environment.
Our Commitment To Green Computing And Refurbished Tech
At Hardware Associates we’re dedicated to environmentally friendly computer technology, and source, repair and stock a wide range of refurbished computers and accessories. We’re here to help you ‘go green’ with your technology, whether for business or home use. Why is this so important to the environment and to consumers?
Consumers are becoming more and more aware of the environmental impact of the products and technology they are buying and using. Just as fast fashion has come to the forefront of people’s minds, so has fast computing.
According to the United Nations, more than 50 million tonnes of electronic waste is being thrown away each year. This is more than the weight of all commercial airliners ever made across the world. Shockingly, this amount is set to double by the middle of the 21st century unless something is done about it.
It’s never been more important to be responsible and select the environmentally friendly option when it comes to digital devices. That’s exactly what green computing is – helping the planet by being environmentally responsible with computers and other technology.
Our role in providing green IT services
It’s not just about consumer habits though, it’s also about the designing, engineering and manufacturing of computer products, as well as disposing of these devices in a way that is the least damaging to the planet.
It’s clear that recycling and refurbishing tech to make it last longer and give it a new lease of life is one of the greenest ways you can help as a digital consumer. Green computing is so important to us at Hardware Associates, and it’s why we are dedicated to providing the very best computer recycling and repair services.
It’s why we also sell the best quality spare parts, so you can make your tech last longer instead of buying new devices, meaning less electronic waste going to landfill. We guarantee that our repairs, refurbished products and spare parts will stand the test of time (which is why we provide a one year warranty on all refurbished products).
Overall, Hardware Associates is:
- Stopping waste: The average device has a three to four year lifespan before going to landfill, but by selling refurbished products we’re stopping this wasteful consumer behaviour.
- Stopping the destruction of core minerals: For every new computer made, core minerals need to be mined to make the machine’s components. These minerals are already in short supply with some, such as cobalt, which is used for lithium batteries, only estimated to have a 40-year supply left.
- Reducing our carbon footprint: By causing fewer devices to be made, which takes a lot of energy, less harmful substances are going into the air. Most new devices are carried across the world, we refurbish our products in the UK, reducing carbon footprint.
- Reducing byproducts: Manufacturing technology causes byproducts to go into the air and water, so by repairing tech we’re reducing this as much as possible.
The education sector
At Hardware Associates we understand just how vital it is for students to have reliable and efficient technology to aid their learning. We specialise in working with schools, colleges, Universities and other educational establishments across the UK to provide them with refurbished hardware.
We have over 20 years of experience in the industry and our services include:
- Supply and delivery of IT hardware
- Removal of redundant IT
All of this comes at an affordable rate so that all pupils have the resources they need to work. No matter how tight the budget, we can help. Get in touch today to speak to us about how we can help you or find out more about our education sector services.
Helping charities
We also specialise in helping the charity sector with their IT needs. We will always provide high quality tech at an affordable rate and have helped both small and large scale national and international charities. We can provide:
- Refurbished computers and laptops
- Computer repairs
- Spare parts
Find out about how we helped the NSPCC to raise £18,000 through our refurbished tech and find out more about our work with charities.
Our top tips of green computing
If you want to be a green computing pro, follow our top tips:
- Reuse and repair as much as you can. If you have a broken device, see if you can get it fixed first and purchase any spare parts you might need.
- Purchase good quality products. These stand the test of time and are less likely to break and end up in landfill. If you’re unsure of what is a good quality product, we’d be happy to give you advice and help you find a high quality device suited to your needs.
- Recycle your old tech. If you need some new tech and you’re left over with an old product, we’d be happy to take it off your hands and either give it a new lease of life, or strip it down for parts so that nothing ends up going to waste.
- Don’t be fooled by good marketing. You can get excellent second hand products which don’t cost a fortune. You don’t need the newest shiny model!
- Ask your workplace to consider going green. They may be more open to it than you think!
- Tell your friends. Spread the message of green computing, whether by word of mouth or on social media. Better still, tell them about what we do and how we can help them to become green computing pros!
For further information don’t hesitate to contact our team. We also have further resources on our blog, including this post on why refurbished technology is the way forward.