News in the Channel - issue #41

SUSTAINABLE IT PROCUREMENT

reactive to proactive with sustainable IT procurement. “Waiting for customers to request sustainability solutions is a missed opportunity,” he says. “MSPs and resellers are uniquely positioned to lead this conversation, bringing expertise that most end user procurement teams simply don't have. “That means reframing secondary and refurbished options as a strategic procurement decision, one that delivers on cost, quality and ESG commitments all at once. Come to the conversation with data – grading standards, lifecycle impact, material and carbon savings, recovery value – and position your business as the expert guide on circular procurement, not just the route to market for hardware. Customers are increasingly asking these questions, and the businesses who have the answers to hand will build deeper, longer-lasting relationships as a result.”

practical constraints such as supply, cost, infrastructure and data availability will continue to shape what is achievable,” she says. “The most credible approach for the channel is to stay pragmatic and transparent, focus on extending product life where possible, and make sure equipment that has genuinely reached end of life is handled responsibly.” Alex says the regulatory landscape around e-waste and product lifecycle is shifting across the UK and Europe, while corporate ESG commitments are becoming more specific and more auditable. “Circular technology has reached a tipping point: what was once a niche corner of the market is now a business opportunity that's hard to ignore,” he adds. “For resellers and MSPs, the question is whether they'll be positioned to meet demand for sustainable procurement. Businesses building circular offerings into their core proposition now are establishing the expertise, supplier relationships, customer trust and diversified supply sources that will define the channel's leading players in the years ahead. For resellers and MSPs agile enough to move decisively, the window to establish themselves as the go-to sustainable procurement partner is right now.” n

Resellers who build sustainable IT into their core proposition now will be well positioned; those who treat it as a niche add-on will find themselves playing catch-up. “ ”

Sustained sustainability All commentators agreed that the

popularity of sustainable IT procurement will continue to grow. “Sustainability and ESG have turned into a long-term business imperative, driven by laws, investor expectations, and customer demand,” says Lynne. “Sustainability is now viewed as a key driver of competitive advantage and future growth within procurement.” Hayley notes that younger workforces are asking more questions of their employers and it is becoming part of their career decision-making if a company stands by their commitments across ESG. “Also, as refurbished supply chains mature and AI-assisted grading improves quality consistency, the barriers to adoption keep falling,” she adds. “Resellers who build sustainable IT into their core proposition now will be well positioned; those who treat it as a niche add-on will find themselves playing catch-up.” But Sarah notes that progress is unlikely to be linear. “Some areas are moving forward faster than others, and