The Circular Economy and its importance to your business

What is ‘The Circular Economy’?

Well, imagine this: Instead of constantly replacing your old tech and paying someone to take it away and toss it into the waste bin of obsolescence, what if your business became part of a system that remanufactures and reuses tech to create value from what already exists?

This is the promise of The Circular Economy – and it’s a game-changer for businesses ready to embrace sustainability.

As Ian Jones, our Managing Director here at RDS, puts it:

“The circular economy isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a practical and essential shift in how we think about resources, consumption and waste. At RDS, we believe in driving that shift, helping businesses adopt smarter, greener solutions for the future.”

Introducing The Circular Economy

At its core, The Circular Economy flips the script on the traditional linear model of “take, make and waste.” Instead of relying on a cycle that depletes resources and generates waste, The Circular Economy focuses on keeping materials in use for as long as possible.

Think about it like this: every time a device is repaired, refurbished or remanufactured, it gets another chance at life. Instead of being thrown away, it stays in the loop, creating value while minimising waste.

RDS’ ReNu Remanufactured Workspace Technology proudly puts The Circular Economy into practice. By remanufacturing laptops, printers and other tech, we ensure these products meet or exceed their original performance while saving resources and reducing emissions.

Yes, you read that right – sometimes the performance of a remanufactured laptop from ReNu can be superior to the machine when it was new!

Repair, refurbish or remanufacture – defining our terms

Let’s dig into these terms repair, refurbish and remanufacture. While they may seem similar, each represents a distinct approach within The Circular Economy and understanding the difference is key to making informed decisions for your business.

Repair: fixing what’s broken

Repair is the process of identifying and addressing specific faults in a product to restore it to working order. For example, replacing a cracked laptop screen or fixing a printer’s malfunctioning mechanism falls under repair. While effective for solving immediate issues, repair typically focuses on individual components rather than assessing or upgrading the entire product.

Refurbish: polishing up

Refurbishing takes things a step further. It involves restoring a product to a functional and presentable state, often by addressing cosmetic damage, testing functionality and replacing worn components. However, refurbished devices may not meet the same rigorous standards as new products or come with guarantees of long-term reliability.

Remanufacture: building better

Remanufacturing is the gold standard in The Circular Economy. It can involve completely disassembling a product, replacing or upgrading all necessary parts and rigorously testing the entire device to ensure it meets or exceeds the original specs. At RDS, for example, our ReNu remanufactured laptops undergo a comprehensive 360-point quality check that ensures consistent quality and elite functionality. We can then confidently warranty these machines for up to three years.

Why The Circular Economy matters to businesses

So why should your business care about circularity? Let’s break it down:

Sustainability goals: with governments and industries ramping up environmental regulations, businesses that embrace circular practices stay ahead of the curve.

Customer trust: consumers and partners increasingly favour businesses that demonstrate eco-consciousness. Aligning with The Circular Economy isn’t just good for the planet – it’s good for your brand.

And, if you remain unconvinced – there’s an immediate benefit to your budget:

Cost savings: embracing circularity can slash costs. For instance, RDS’ ReNu remanufactured laptops are up to 50% cheaper than new devices, freeing up budget for other priorities.

As Ian Jones says:

“Sustainability isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a necessity for businesses that want to remain relevant in a world where customers and stakeholders expect more.”

Steps you can take to embrace circularity

You don’t have to overhaul your entire operation overnight to adopt circular practices. Here are a few steps you can start with:

Audit your operations:
Begin by identifying areas where waste can be reduced or materials reused. This might involve rethinking supply chains, assessing IT infrastructure or reviewing waste management practices.

Collaborate on sustainability:
Work with like-minded partners who can help your business adopt greener practices. RDS, for instance, provides end-to-end support for businesses looking to integrate Circular Economy principles into their IT and printing operations.

Buy second-hand fixtures and fittings:
Instead of purchasing brand new office furniture or shop fittings, for example, look into the second-hand, refurbished and liquidation marketplaces.

Implement waste management and recycling programs:
Create a system for segregating, recycling and responsibly disposing of office waste, including paper, plastics and packaging materials. Partner with certified recycling organisations to ensure materials are handled sustainably.

Rethink your packaging:
If you are manufacturing or re-selling, can you switch to minimal, biodegradable or reusable packaging for your products? And, if you receive materials or goods with excessive packaging, work with your suppliers to reduce waste in their supply chains.

Use Circular Economy metrics:
Measure your circularity with tools like life cycle assessments (LCA) or carbon footprint calculators. Understanding your impact helps refine your strategies and communicate progress to stakeholders.

Support local and sustainable suppliers:
Sourcing materials and services from local businesses can reduce your carbon footprint simply by reducing transportation emissions. This also supports regional economies, creating a circular benefit for your community.

Invest in Remanufactured products:
Choose options like RDS’ remanufactured laptops and printers, which not only save money but also conserve resources. Each remanufactured laptop, for example, saves 316 kg of CO₂ emissions.

How RDS ReNu brings The Circular Economy to life

At RDS, we’ve made The Circular Economy central to everything we do. Through our ReNu Remanufactured Workspace Technology, we’re helping businesses reduce their environmental impact while staying ahead of their operational needs and saving money.

Some of the benefits of choosing remanufactured tech include:

• Sustainability: each laptop saves 190,000 litres of water and avoids generating e-waste, aligning perfectly with circularity goals.
• Carbon-offsetting initiatives: through programs like PrintReleaf, we help businesses counteract the environmental impact of their printing activities. By planting trees in global reforestation projects, we’ve already offset the equivalent of almost 21 million standard pages.
• Guaranteed quality: with up to three years’ warranty and rigorous testing processes, our remanufactured tech performs just as well – if not better – than new products.
• Cost-effectiveness: our remanufactured devices, including laptops and printers, cost up to 50% less than new alternatives.

Why Businesses Trust RDS for circular solutions

When you choose RDS, you’re not just investing in technology – you’re engaging in a partnership that prioritises sustainability.

Ian Jones sums it up best:

“We’re here to help businesses transition to a more sustainable model, without sacrificing efficiency or quality. By embedding circular principles into our services, we’re creating solutions that work for our clients and the planet alike.”

Closing the circle

Adopting The Circular Economy doesn’t have to be complicated. It starts with small steps, as we’ve suggested above. These changes not only reduce your environmental footprint but also position your business as a leader in sustainability.

And it’s important to remember that you’re not alone in this endeavour. RDS is always in your corner!

Ready to learn more? Download our ReNu brochure today and discover how remanufactured technology can help your business save money, reduce waste, and achieve its sustainability goals.

Together, let’s make The Circular Economy work for you. Download our ReNu brochure now and learn how: