In 2023, employers of all shapes and sizes are focussing on creating a sustainable workplace that prioritise employee health and wellbeing. But what about environmental sustainability for the planet?
Recent YouGov figures indicate many consumers believe sustainability equals a higher price point, and it follows that many small business owners would think the same. We get it – as a small business, it’s highly likely that you’re struggling in the current inflationary business environment, and are therefore shying away from any unnecessary costs.
But the reality is that eco-friendly choices don’t need to cost employers more – in fact, they can actually save you money. So, how can hard-working owners reduce their overheads and do their bit for the environment at the same time?
Enter: refurbished electronics. Refurbished electronics reduce your business’s contribution to e-waste by saving phones, tablets and laptops from premature death with a new lease of life. Not only are refurbished devices cheaper, but they’re also better for the planet.
E-waste is the fastest-growing waste category on the planet, with 52M tons of e-waste produced worldwide last year alone. Out of that, only 20% is properly recycled, with the rest going to landfill and polluting countries throughout Africa and Asia. Smartphones heavily contribute to the escalation of this damage through damaging toxins such as chlorine and mercury that can pollute the air and water supply around the landfill.
In response, businesses around Australia are currently facing rising landfill costs, making it more expensive to dispose of large amounts of e-waste at the rubbish dump. Taxes and other government incentives are making it increasingly cheaper to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials. The recent REDcycle collapse is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by local councils and governments when it comes to recycling, and the need for businesses of all sizes to bear their own level of responsibility.
If you’re keen to make the switch to refurbished devices, the first step is to make a careful assessment of your needs versus your wants and align them with your budget. What is your team using their phones for? In most cases, they probably don’t need the niche features in the very latest iPhone, and could simply choose to keep their old model or opt for a refurbished model instead.
If businesses are ready and willing to jump on the refurbished train, the environmental impact can be massive. Since launching in Australia and New Zealand, for example, our team at Reebelo has emitted 1410 tonnes fewer greenhouse gases, saved 197 Million litres of drinking water saved, planted 15,000 trees, and saved five tonnes of e-waste.
With economies struggling, unemployment rates wobbly, and small businesses looking to save as much money as possible, shifting towards refurbished devices is nothing but a smart move. With the right mindset in place, your business can save both money and the planet.
Story provided from Gulrez