How remanufactured devices help meet sustainability goals without inflating budgets

Meeting sustainability targets without inflating operational budgets has presented a challenge to business leaders across industries. Remanufactured devices from Ricoh offer a compelling solution.

These products are restored to like-new condition through rigorous processes, often backed by warranties and performance guarantees. When strategically placed where their functionality matches the same need new equipment could deliver, they offer cost savings plus help to meet sustainability objectives.

Of course, these benefits aren’t limited to only remanufactured printers like our GreenLine series devices and they aren’t the sole benefits.

Sustainable office equipment offers strategic benefits like carbon footprint accounting and reporting to support SDG 13 climate action; reducing e-waste and resource extraction; and budget reallocation toward innovation, staffing, or growth initiatives — all of which align with circular economy principles.

These benefits are not theoretical...and neither are the cost-savings. The ROI on remanufactured devices can be staggering. For example, the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is exploring remanufactured technology to save billions and close its sustainability gap.²

Historically, technology and IT procurement has been viewed as a cost center. Today, it’s a strategic lever for a sustainable transformation.

By prioritizing sustainable office equipment, companies can embed climate action into daily operations and realize these advantages:

• Lower energy and material use: Remanufactured devices reuse components, cutting down on raw material consumption and landfill waste.

• Enhanced data and reporting: Sustainable office equipment helps quantify Co2 reductions, illuminate lifecycle analysis, and provide transparent metrics.

• Sustainability alignment: In a recent survey, 70% of global companies report embedding sustainability into their procurement process, and more than 80% view it as a strategic priority.³

• Circular economy support: These products extend the lifecycle of office equipment, reducing e-waste and supporting sustainability goals.

There are clear economic advantages as well. According to a leading industry report, the cost savings are evident across business sectors:⁴

• Entry-level printers: Remanufactured printers ones offer a savings of up to 50%.

• Mid-range models: Businesses can save 55–60% on new equipment purchase prices, with total 5-year ownership costs dropping by thousands.

• Enterprise setups: A medium-sized firm saved over $8,000 by switching from 8 new printers to 10 remanufactured ones.

Despite the benefits, the biggest challenge to remanufactured devices may be one of traditional perceptions about reliability, performance, and brand image. Recognizing the value of remanufactured devices requires a mindset change — from buying the newest tech to investing in the tech that best meets each unique need.

The truth about remanufactured devices is that manufacturers like Ricoh assure quality, following ISO-certified processes and offering multi-year warranties. And when it comes to performance parity, remanufactured equipment is rigorously tested to meet or exceed original specifications. Plus, using remanufactured tech signals environmental leadership and fiscal prudence — values that resonate with stakeholders.

Forward-looking organizations are already making this pivot. Circular Computing reports that remanufactured laptops are central to CEO-led transformation, with IT procurement emerging as a key enabler of innovation and sustainability. This is especially relevant as companies face mounting pressure to disclose Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions under frameworks like the CSRD and SEC climate rules.

In an effort to meet sustainability goals, remanufactured devices offer a rare trifecta: environmental impact, financial efficiency, and strategic alignment. They enable companies to act on SDG 13 climate action without compromising budgets or performance. As leadership sentiment shifts and reporting frameworks tighten, the case for remanufactured technology will only grow stronger.

Remanufacturing is the mindset shift that sustainability success demands. To get started:

• Audit your current IT assets.

• Engage with sustainable suppliers.

• Set procurement policies.

• Most importantly, educate your stakeholders.

Addressing misconceptions and highlighting benefits across departments is the surest way to align remanufactured devices with your strategy. Because to transform sustainable office equipment from a tactical choice into a strategic pillar of sustainability, it’s not just about changing what we buy — it’s about changing how we think.

Do our GreenLine series remanufactured devices sound like a potential strategic solution for your organization? If yes, let's connect.