39D uses a reuse-first approach. Returned equipment is assessed, securely sanitised, tested and, where appropriate, refurbished for another rental cycle. Equipment that is still useful but no longer suitable for our commercial rental fleet can be considered for donation. Hardware that cannot be safely or economically reused is routed into an appropriate WEEE treatment and recycling process.
Why reuse comes before recycling
Recycling is important, but a working laptop still contains the value of the materials, components, energy and manufacturing already invested in it. Keeping a suitable device in productive use for longer can delay the environmental impact associated with manufacturing a replacement and reduce the amount of electrical equipment entering the waste stream.
What happens when a rental laptop comes back
Returned equipment is checked for identity and condition, assessed for damage, securely sanitised, tested for functionality and prepared for its next use. Depending on the device, work can include storage health checks, memory and battery checks, firmware and BIOS review, Windows installation, updates, cleaning, replacement of serviceable parts and final quality checks before redeployment.
Data security before reuse or donation
A device should never move from one customer or user to another with recoverable business data left behind. Our process is designed around secure sanitisation principles, including encryption-aware reset or verified overwrite methods as appropriate to the storage media and risk. Devices that cannot be sanitised to an acceptable level are not simply passed to another user.
BS EN 50614 and preparing WEEE for reuse
Where equipment has become WEEE and is being prepared for reuse, BS EN 50614:2020 is the relevant British Standard for preparing waste electrical and electronic equipment for reuse. Our process is designed around applicable reuse checks and documented testing principles, including condition, electrical safety and functionality. 39D does not claim BSI Kitemark certification unless a specific service is explicitly described as certified.
What happens when equipment cannot be reused
Some hardware reaches the point where repair or reuse is no longer appropriate. In those cases, the correct route is controlled WEEE treatment and material recovery rather than general waste. Equipment and components that require waste treatment should be handled through appropriately authorised or exempt routes, with hazardous or unsuitable items managed in accordance with applicable environmental requirements.
The carbon case for keeping laptops in use
The precise carbon benefit of reuse depends on the device, how long it is kept in service, what replacement purchase is avoided and the electricity used during its extended life. Manufacturer product-carbon-footprint data shows why manufacturing matters: HP estimates the EliteBook 840 G8 at about 200 kg CO2e across its life cycle, with around 76% attributed to production in its published model. This is one reason we prefer to extend the useful life of capable equipment instead of replacing it simply because it is no longer new.
An illustrative industry benchmark
Circular Computing publishes an estimate of approximately 316 kg CO2e avoided at manufacture for each remanufactured laptop used instead of a new device. We treat this as an external industry benchmark, not a guaranteed saving for every 39D laptop. Actual avoided emissions will vary by model, refurbishment work, transport, use pattern and whether reuse genuinely displaces a new purchase.
Donating useful hardware to charities and schools
When returned equipment remains useful but no longer fits our rental fleet requirements, we want to create a route for eligible charities, schools and community organisations to apply for donated hardware. Availability will depend on returns, condition, specification and demand, and an application does not guarantee an allocation.
Our environmental values
Our goal is practical circular IT rather than environmental claims for their own sake: keep capable equipment working, repair before replacing where sensible, protect customer data, donate useful surplus hardware where we can, and use responsible WEEE routes when equipment has genuinely reached the end of its useful life.
Frequently asked questions
Do you recycle every laptop when it comes back from rental?
No. Our preferred route is to assess whether the laptop can be safely reused. Recycling is the end-of-life route for equipment that cannot appropriately be repaired, refurbished, redeployed or donated.
Are 39D refurbished laptops BSI certified?
We do not describe the laptops as BSI Kitemark certified. Where WEEE is prepared for reuse, our process is designed around relevant BS EN 50614:2020 principles and applicable testing requirements.
How do you protect data on returned laptops?
Returned storage is sanitised before a device is allocated to another user or donated. The method depends on the device and storage technology, with the aim of preventing previous customer data being recoverable by the next user.
Can a school or charity apply for donated laptops?
Yes. Eligible schools, charities and community organisations can submit a hardware request through our Charity & Schools Hardware Programme. Allocation depends on suitable returned stock becoming available.
Can you guarantee a specific CO2 saving per reused laptop?
No. Carbon impact varies by model and scenario. We use manufacturer data and clearly labelled external benchmarks to explain the case for reuse rather than presenting one universal figure as a guaranteed saving.
Standards and sources
These independent sources explain the standards, regulatory framework and environmental data referenced above.