New initiative from Lenovo accelerates transition to circular IT

European companies are facing increasing demands for digitalization and sustainability. With Lenovo Circular IT initiative, Certified Refurbishment Services are launched, which makes it possible to extend the life of existing IT equipment while reducing both climate impact and IT costs.

The service builds on experiences from a Nordic pilot project and is now being launched in Sweden and 13 other European countries. The aim is to offer companies a concrete and scalable alternative to the traditional model where IT equipment is either used until the warranty expires or is completely replaced with new units.

Companies need a third option

As IT devices approach the end of their lifecycle, many organizations are still faced with only two choices: either extend the warranty or invest in brand new equipment. At the same time, many companies lack a clear strategy for what to do with older devices when they are replaced.

This is particularly problematic in light of upcoming EU regulations linked to the circular economy and CSRD where the requirements for documented reuse, sustainable procurement and life cycle management are tightened considerably. Extending the life of electronics is one of the most effective methods for reducing carbon emissions.

A report from the organization Circularity shows that extending the lifespan of just 30 percent can reduce annual emissions by up to 20 percent. The European Commission also estimates that better materials management and increased reuse could save up to 231 million tons of carbon dioxide annually in heavy industry.

"If companies are to take the next necessary step towards a more sustainable and future-proof IT strategy, they need a third, more climate-friendly option in their replacement strategy," said Stefan Brechling Larsen, Global Sustainability Services Leader at Lenovo. Lenovo's certified refurbishing services directly contribute to reducing waste and increasing the opportunities to reuse more of existing equipment.

Extended lifespan without compromising performance

Certified Refurbishment Services makes it possible to upgrade fully functional devices with, for example, extra RAM memory and quickly return them to the business where the need is greatest. When employees leave the organization, used devices can undergo cosmetic refurbishment and certified data sanitization and then be returned to use as almost new.

Lenovo already has extensive experience in IT equipment lifecycle management. Today, 71 percent of the equipment collected is reused or refurbished, demonstrating the real potential of circular IT strategies.

A solution that strengthens business economics and sustainability

With Lenovo Certified Refurbishment Services, businesses get their devices refurbished with OEM certified quality, renewed warranty and complete data wipe according to NIST standards. This creates a flexible and robust IT environment where refurbished devices are used in daily work while new devices are reserved for critical functions or users with high performance requirements including next-generation AI computers.

The result is an IT strategy that leverages the value of existing technology in a significantly better way. The total cost of ownership is reduced, the pressure on new acquisitions is reduced, and the organization becomes less vulnerable to delivery problems or unforeseen changes in the workforce.

At the same time, the service supports companies' work with the EU's green deal and upcoming climate requirements, with the goal of reducing emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030.

Documented quality and full traceability

All devices undergoing Lenovo Certified Refurbishment Services are managed according to a standardized and documented process that ensures full data and operational reliability. This includes data erasure according to NIST SP 800 88 over 35 functional and quality checks, and replacement of batteries and other components when necessary.

The equipment is also cosmetically refurbished and thoroughly cleaned to both function and feel like new. As part of the service, a renewed Lenovo warranty with the option of Premier Support and memory upgrades is offered, making it possible to quickly, safely and efficiently get the equipment back into operation.

An initiative with Nordic roots

Certified Refurbishment Services is based on experiences from a Nordic pilot project in which selected companies participated in 2025. The Nordic region has served as a test market thanks to the region's high climate ambitions, strong processes for responsible procurement and a mature approach to the reuse of IT equipment.

The Nordic experience has now formed the basis for the broad European launch. Via the Lenovo Service Connect Portal, organizations can choose between three service levels and get a full overview of scope, quality and expected impact.

Learn more about Lenovo Certified Refurbished Services here