In 2025, sustainability is more than a buzzword, for UK organisations, it’s becoming integral to brand reputation, regulation, and cost control. And one of the most underexploited levers for impact is IT procurement.
At 4th Platform, we believe in integrating sustainability into every stage of our clients’ technology journey, from sourcing and deployment to decommissioning. Below is a guide to how businesses can make greener, smarter IT purchasing decisions, and how we support this in practice.
Why Sustainable Procurement Matters in IT
– Regulation and reporting pressures are rising. Many organisations now need to account for their environmental impact, including emissions and waste, across supply chains.
– Cost savings over the full lifecycle. Energy efficiency, longer device life, and lower disposal costs can outweigh small up-front premiums.
– Differentiation and trust. Customers, partners, and stakeholders increasingly expect responsible tech practices.
Also, at 4th Platform, we’ve already committed to ESG principles: we are ISO 14001 certified, and in 2024. This reflects how seriously we take environment in how we operate, and how we advise clients.
Steps to Greener IT Procurement
Below is a procurement guide that aligns with your service set and how 4th Platform can assist.
1. Specify Energy-Efficient Standards
When you procure laptops, servers, network equipment or peripherals, demand energy certifications such as Energy Star, EPEAT, or equivalents. These standards help reduce electricity usage, lower heat output, and cut cooling costs.
In our managed IT and cloud / hosting services, we prioritise efficient infrastructure and partner with vendors that meet high energy / operational standards.
2. Maximise Device Lifespan & Use Refurbishment
Rather than rigid refresh cycles, aim to extend device lifespans via:
– Upgrading components (e.g. RAM, storage) rather than full replacement
– Proactive maintenance programs (which 4th Platform provides via managed IT)
– Redeploying older but still capable devices in less demanding roles
– Using certified refurbished or remanufactured hardware when appropriate
This helps reduce waste, lowers acquisition costs, and aligns with circular economy principles.
3. Engage in Circular Procurement & Responsible Disposal
One of the weakest links is how hardware is disposed of. To close the loop:
– Use take-back / trade-in programs from vendors that ensure proper recycling
– Engage with certified e-waste recyclers
– Ensure data wiping / secure destruction is built into disposal
4th Platform can assist by coordinating hardware disposal and ensuring data security during decommissioning, as part of our managed services.
4. Choose Vendors with ESG & Sustainability Credentials
When selecting third-party services, look for:
– Published net zero / carbon reduction strategies
– Supply chain transparency
– Renewable energy use in data centres (for cloud services)
– Hardware vendors that support extended warranties, refurbishment, or take-back
Because 4th Platform acts as an integrator and advisor across cloud, connectivity, managed IT, UCaaS, digital transformation, etc. we vet our vendor relationships on sustainability as part of our procurement approach.
5. Align IT Procurement with Your ESG / Net Zero Objectives
Too often, IT decisions happen in isolation from corporate sustainability goals. Instead:
– Include IT in your scope 3 emissions assessments
– Use common reporting frameworks (e.g. CDP, TCFD) so your IT emissions feed into your overall disclosures
– Create a cross-functional committee (IT + ESG / procurement) to align decisions
Because 4th Platform sees sustainability as a core value (not just marketing), we partner with clients to align tech roadmaps with their ESG goals.
Example Scenarios
– A mid-sized firm replaces its ageing fleet of desktops with energy-efficient models and upgrades RAM instead of full replacement, reducing capital spend while lowering electricity use.
– An organisation migrates to a more efficient hybrid-cloud deployment, picking cloud data centres that run on greener power, coordinated by your cloud / managed IT team.
– When refreshing phone / UC hardware (for example in UCaaS upgrades) they choose devices from vendors with strong refurbishment / recycling programmes.
Each of these ties directly to the services you already provide (managed IT, cloud, connectivity, UCaaS, etc.).
Challenge Us Today
At 4th Platform, we don’t believe in “greenwashing” we embed sustainability into every solution we deliver. From sourcing to disposal, from cloud to UC, we help clients make IT decisions that are better for profit and planet.
Ready to explore how greener IT procurement can reduce your costs and carbon footprint? Book a Discovery Meeting with our team today, and let’s map out how a sustainable, future-proof IT strategy could work for your business.
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