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Balancing performance, cost savings, and carbon reduction through remanufactured technology

By Marty Hazen

For many years, workplace technology decisions were primarily defined by cost, performance, and reliability. Those criteria are more important than ever, but today, environmental considerations must also be a factor in technology decisions.

With budgets tightening and sustainability needs rising, organizations are expanding their focus, taking a broader view of how technology investments create long-term value across financial, operational, and environmental priorities.

This is where remanufactured office technology, such as multifunction printers (MFPs) and office printers, is bringing increased value to the workplace. Today, these devices can bring strategic advantage — delivering the same dependable performance as new models while unlocking meaningful cost savings, advancing sustainability goals, and supporting operational agility.

Remanufactured technology as a triple-value proposition

Ricoh’s GreenLine remanufacturing program recognized

See why we were named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Hardcopy Remanufacturing 2025 Vendor Assessment.

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Remanufactured technology has advanced significantly over the years, becoming a reliable option for today’s workplaces thanks to rigorous quality standards and processes developed by Ricoh.  With decades of experience in remanufacturing, Ricoh has established methods and quality controls designed to ensure consistent performance and reduce environmental impact.

This has led to Ricoh:

  • Being the first imaging equipment manufacturer to have select remanufactured products certified to ENERGY STAR® specifications.

  • Achieving both ISO 9001 (quality management) and ISO 14001 (environmental management) certified processes.

These quality standards enable our remanufactured MFPs and printers to deliver a triple-value proposition that brings together performance, cost efficiency, and carbon reduction into a single, integrated solution.

1. Performance

Each device is remanufactured through a meticulous process that replaces worn components, updates firmware, and tests performance to meet or exceed original specifications. The result is technology that achieves the same reliability, security, and consistent performance as a new device.

2. Cost savings

Remanufactured devices can cost 20-40% less than new models¹, offering a clear financial advantage where functionality matches business needs. They also include comparable warranties and service agreements, keeping total cost of ownership predictable. The savings allow organizations to right-size their fleets, scale device deployments more efficiently, or reinvest savings into other more business-critical areas.

3. Carbon reduction

By reusing and restoring existing equipment, remanufactured devices avoid the carbon emissions generated in manufacturing new ones. They conserve raw materials and reduce e-waste — tangible progress toward sustainability goals and circular-economy principles that customers and stakeholders increasingly expect. In fact, studies show that remanufacturing can reduce the need for new materials by as much as 80-98%, reinforcing its advantage as a practical driver of resource efficiency and carbon reduction.²

Staying ahead of disruption

Remanufactured solutions also enhance operational agility and support business continuity.

In a market facing supply chain volatility and procurement uncertainty, having reliable alternatives matters more than ever. Remanufactured MFPs and printers have proven performance and a robust supply chain, helping organizations mitigate these risks by leveraging existing equipment already in circulation.

This added stability is becoming an important differentiator. Remanufactured technology is not only a cost-effective and sustainable choice — it also supports operational consistency and gives organizations greater confidence to adapt as market conditions evolve.

Staying ahead on sustainability

By extending the lifecycle of existing devices, organizations can advance their global sustainable growth objectives and goals such as the UN’s SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production — meaningful progress that resonates with many customers, employees, and stakeholders who increasingly expect action, not aspiration.

This alignment is already creating a competitive advantage for many organizations. Sustainability performance increasingly shapes customer decisions, influences employee sentiment, and informs investor evaluation of companies’ long-term value. In fact, 84% of consumers say poor environmental practices would alienate them from a brand or company³ — clear evidence that sustainability is no longer just a moral imperative but a business expectation.

Making remanufactured technology work for your business

When purchasing remanufactured technology such as MFPs and printers, organizations should consider several factors to ensure reliability and long-term value. These include:

  • Verifying the provider’s certification credentials to confirm that products meet recognized quality and environmental standards.

  • Reviewing quality testing procedures and product grading transparency to understand how devices are evaluated, rebuilt, and validated before resale.

  • Confirming firmware and data security measures to protect sensitive information and maintain compliance.

  • Ensuring comprehensive warranty and lifecycle support to minimize risk and maintain performance over time.

By taking these steps, organizations can ensure their remanufactured investments deliver dependable performance, meaningful cost savings, and measurable sustainability gains — achieving the intended value without added risk.

This commitment to certified quality and reliability is embodied through programs like Ricoh’s GreenLine devices. Our GreenLine series offer like-new MFPs and printers that combine enterprise-grade performance with cost efficiency and environmental benefits.

Learn more about Ricoh's GreenLine remanufactured devices or contact us to find the best devices for your organization.

About the Author

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Marty Hazen

Senior Manager II, Baja Operations, Supply Chain, Ricoh USA

Marty Hazen has worked in the imaging industry since 1978, innovating a technology remanufacturing process in the early 1990s. In 1996, he helped create what became Ricoh's North America remanufacturing center that has since expanded into the Eco Center Facility, which was built to accommodate the operation's expansion into Toner Cartridge Remanufacturing.
Learn More About Marty Hazen

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  1. 1European Remanufacturing Council “What is Remanufacturing.” https://www.remanufacturing.eu/about-remanufacturing.php
  2. 2United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) “Re-thinking production to boost circular economies.” https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/re-thinking-production-boost-circular-economies
  3. 3The Roundup “52 Huge Environmentally Conscious Consumer Statistics” 52 Huge Environmentally Conscious Consumer Statistics 2025