Espria advocates for refurbished IT solutions in schools to improve sustainability

Educational institutions are being urged to adopt refurbished IT equipment to meet growing technological demands and budget constraints.

According to Espria, a Managed Service Provider, the shift towards pre-used and refurbished devices is not only cost-effective but also environmentally sustainable.

This shift is attributed to the increasing demand for sustainable devices and the necessity of managing hardware budgets more effectively. Historically, concerns over quality hindered the adoption of refurbished devices. However, with the availability of devices with 2- or 3-year RTB warranties and BSI accreditations, these concerns are diminishing.

Steve Dickinson, Head of Supply Chain at Espria, underscores the significance of this shift for the education sector:

“With diminishing funds across education, it’s about ensuring that devices used, meet the current use requirements of the student or teacher. There are many options, but ensuring schools and colleges get the best sustainable solution for their requirements, takes some expertise coupled with industry-leading guarantees. 

“At Espria, we now only recommend Windows 11 Pro devices from HP, Dell and Lenovo, all configured to meet the challenges of delivering education. Keeping your IT running is vital for learning opportunities, but migrating to sustainable IT can ensure future-proof devices without added costs.”

Espria's involvement in the National Association of Headteachers Conference highlighted the concern among education IT operators about sourcing high-quality IT hardware amid tighter budgets. However, Dickinson reassures that meeting the minimum standards for laptops and other devices is achievable with refurbished options.

“Many refurbished equipment providers offer extended warranties with BSI accreditation and maintenance services that can provide educators with peace of mind. This shift in attitude towards refurbished IT equipment has been driven by several factors, including cost savings and environmental sustainability and the ability to offset these devices against carbon footprint," Dickinson adds.

Dickinson concludes,"At Espria, we have aimed to provide the best support to educators. Ensuring that legacy devices are removed and replaced with refurbished equipment is a massive priority for supporting schools, including the collection of old and delivery of new. 

“To ensure that the education sector isn’t left behind as all industries transition to utilising pre-used devices, we want to lead the charge for supporting the sector, as ultimately IT support is just one pillar when it comes to providing the best learning experiences in UK schools without sacrificing additional costs or adding to unsustainable consumption.”