Thursday, July 19, 2012

Will Purchasing Refurbished Servers Have an Impact on the Environment?

     Tech companies that want to stay ahead of their IT competition will innovate at an alarming rate, so fast it seems the second a customer buys the latest and greatest new computer, another machine is released that is even better. This might be one reason that recent environmental research shows that on average, Americans discard computers after 2-4 years of using them. The most troubling thing about this statistic is the effect that this high turnover has on the environment. Fortunately there is a way for companies that are environmentally friendly to inexpensively acquire quality machines while minimizing environmental harm. All that these buyers have to do is purchase refurbished servers.

      Each time a company opts to purchase refurbished servers produced by manufacturers, it keeps that server out of a nearby landfill. Refurbished servers are in essence recycled servers, as vendors take servers that someone else might throw away and restore them to optimal working condition. This process entails testing specific components to determine if they need to be replaced, replacing them, and then making note of the work that was performed so that the buyer has a record of the device's service history. Many vendors will even remove usable components from servers that are beyond repair, and combine these usable parts into a device that is in full working order. Refurbished servers therefore keep parts and entire systems from being discarded in landfills.

     Keeping servers out of landfills is about more than just saving space. Servers and other computer equipment contain harmful materials like mercury, cadmium, and lead, which have been linked to damage to the brain, the kidneys, and the central nervous system. If these materials are not disposed of properly, then they not only wind up in landfills but they can also be consumed by animals, get washed away into drinking water, and be ingested by individuals who work in landfills. Purchasing refurbished servers not only keeps the physical machines out of landfills, but also keeps dangerous compounds from reaching landfills or the environment.

     Vendors of refurbished servers should make it a priority to find environmentally responsible ways of completing other elements of the buying process. Many sellers will have a buyback program in place so that buyers can get cash back for the machines that they are replacing. This keeps the company's old machines out of landfills, by allowing the vendor to turn them into refurbished servers. If the vendor does not feel that it has enough to work with, it will still offer to take care of proper device disposal as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This process ensures that hazardous compounds like the ones mentioned earlier are removed before the device is taken to a landfill.

    Refurbished servers are the best option for companies that are looking for a way to upgrade their information technology (IT) setup without contributing to buildup in local landfills. Companies can also feel better about a purchase by checking beforehand to see if the vendor offers environmentally responsible disposal options and a buyback program. For an inexpensive, eco-friendly IT upgrade, consider investing in refurbished servers.


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