The UK public sector spends billions on technology each year. Much of that investment goes towards brand-new hardware that carries a hidden environmental cost. The manufacture of a single laptop produces approximately 331kg of CO₂, consumes roughly 190,000 litres of water, and requires mining around 800-1,200kg of earth for approximately 66 different minerals. Multiply that across hundred of thousands of laptops, and the scale of impact becomes clear.
For procurement teams balancing compliance, ESG reporting, and sustainability targets with tight budgets, the challenge is significant. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has responded by becoming the first UK central government department to adopt sustainable laptops at scale.
Through a five-year, £150 million contract with Atos, Defra will supply 34,000 sustainable laptops to its workforce. This partnership represents a shift in how public sector procurement approaches sustainable IT procurement and sets a benchmark for others to follow.
Why Sustainable IT Procurement Matters
Digital systems account for an estimated 2-4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, placing the sector at par with aviation. The IT industry’s carbon footprint is growing faster than most other sectors. Around 250 million laptops are manufactured each year, with 75-85% of a laptop’s emissions arising during the manufacturing stage.
In 2023-24, Defra’s centrally managed IT was responsible for 9,900 tonnes of carbon emissions. A further 87,540 tonnes came from Scope 3 emissions within the supply chain. The department also generated 198 tonnes of e-waste, with only 40% reused. These figures highlight the environmental impact of conventional IT procurement and the urgent need for change.
The UK Government’s Greening Government ICT strategy requires all departments to work towards zero ICT waste to landfill and increase procurement of sustainable laptops. Defra’s Digital Sustainability Strategy 2025-2030 builds on this commitment with specific targets: a 16% reduction in IT carbon footprint by 2030, a 32% reduction in e-waste volumes, and 80% of end-user devices to be refurbished or remanufactured.
Atos & Circular Computing: Supplying Defra with Sustainable Laptops
Atos acts as service integrator for Defra’s end-user services, managing application support, IT infrastructure, and device procurement. Through this contract, Atos has partnered with Circular Computing to supply sustainable laptops that meet performance standards while delivering substantial environmental benefits.
Michael Herron, Head of UK&I at Atos Group, noted the focus on integrated service delivery: “We are delighted to be working with DEFRA on their Future End User Services Contract, enabling their team to concentrate on the important work they deliver. We have a track record of success in this area, providing best-in-class services supported by cutting-edge technology platforms that focus on people, planet and productivity.”
The collaboration enables Defra to adopt a ‘sustainable by default’ approach to laptop procurement. This model prevents unnecessary waste and maximises device value. Carbon- neutral laptops are designed to deliver uncompromising, consistent quality at scale. Each laptop is remanufactured to be truly ‘equal to or better than new’. Circular Computing offers a warranty of up to 3 years, with some longer warranties available on request.
Rod Neale, CEO of Circular Computing, described the partnership as a milestone for public sector procurement: “Atos’s partnership with DEFRA is a clear stepping-stone towards wider inclusion of second-life IT within the public sector. It continues our collaborative approach with Atos to spread the word on remanufacturing and the benefits it presents.”
Meeting Compliance and ESG Reporting Requirements
Public sector procurement teams face increasing pressure to meet compliance standards, deliver ESG reporting, and achieve sustainability targets. The Greening Government Commitments and Defra’s Digital Sustainability Strategy set clear expectations for reducing carbon emissions, minimising e-waste, and increasing the procurement of sustainable IT.
Defra’s approach demonstrates how these requirements can be met without compromising on performance or value for money. The department’s Digital Sustainability Strategy includes seven key objectives:
- Reduce and mitigate carbon emissions towards net zero targets
- Reduce the wider planetary impacts of digital services, including water use and e-waste
- Reduce natural resource use and improve circular economy practices
- Reduce social risk and deliver social value
- Increase transparency and accountability, internally and within the supply chain
- Improve technology resilience to climate and environmental risks
- Embed digital sustainability as standard practice
Since the start of 2025, all new procurements will include sustainability criteria. Suppliers with contracts above £1 million must publish verified carbon data and net zero plans.
Remanufactured vs Refurbished: Understanding the Difference
The terms ‘refurbished’ and ‘remanufactured’ are often used interchangeably, but there are important distinctions. Refurbished laptops are typically tested, cleaned, and repaired to working order. Remanufactured laptops undergo a more comprehensive process. Components are replaced or upgraded, and the laptop is restored to a condition indistinguishable from new.
At Circular Computing, our Circular Remanufacturing Process™ enables us to go beyond the BSI Kitemark standard for remanufactured laptops to deliver. Every laptop undergoes our rigorous 5+ hour Circular Remanufacturing Process, ensuring a single, superior grade which is equal to new. By reusing 99% of a laptop’s original materials with the remaining 1% going into our parts library or into plastic pallets, we ensure nothing is wasted. With over 180,000 spare parts in our collection, we’re redefining sustainable IT.
Defra’s procurement choice prevents the mining of 66 different minerals per laptop and avoids the vast quantities of water used in traditional manufacturing. The environmental benefits are measurable and significant, particularly when scaled across thousands of devices.
Addressing Barriers to Adoption
Despite the clear benefits, barriers to the adoption of remanufactured IT remain. Misconceptions about performance, concerns about reliability, and a lack of awareness of the environmental impact of new hardware have all contributed to slow progress.
Defra’s procurement choice challenges these misconceptions. The department’s rigorous testing and quality assurance processes ensure that sustainable laptops meet the same standards as new equipment. Users benefit from reliable, high-performance hardware without compromise.
Transparency is also key. Defra’s Digital Sustainability Strategy requires suppliers to provide detailed reporting of Scope 3 emissions and evidence of verified net zero commitments. This level of accountability ensures that sustainability claims are backed by data and that progress is measurable.
The department’s approach also addresses social and environmental risks in global ICT supply chains. Enhanced due diligence and contract management ensure that labour conditions in component production are scrutinised and that modern slavery commitments are met. These measures align with the Social Value Framework and the Modern Slavery Assessment Tool, ensuring that procurement decisions deliver both environmental and social value.
Social Value and Environmental Impact
Circular Computing’s commitment to social value extends beyond emissions reductions. For every laptop we sell we provide a family with clean water for a week. This initiative is made possible through our partnership with charity: water, a global non-profit organisation committed to delivering clean and safe drinking water to communities in developing countries. Across 34,000 laptops, this equates to nearly 23.5 million litres of clean water provided to communities. This initiative demonstrates how sustainable IT procurement can deliver both environmental and social benefits.
What This Means for IT Procurement Teams
The integration of remanufactured IT into procurement processes is straightforward. Devices are supplied through standard distribution channels, with the same warranties and support as new equipment. The performance of remanufactured devices meets user needs, ensuring continuity of service and user satisfaction.
The financial benefits are immediate and ongoing. Lower upfront costs, reduced waste management expenses, and avoidance of landfill charges all contribute to overall cost savings. The environmental benefits support ESG reporting and demonstrate progress towards sustainability targets.
The key is to embed sustainability into procurement processes from the outset. Since the beginning of 2025, sustainability carries a weighting of up to 15% in major digital procurements. This shift reflects the growing importance of environmental and social criteria in decision-making and provides a clear incentive for organisations to adopt sustainable IT procurement practices.
Building on Defra’s Example
Defra’s partnership with Atos and Circular Computing sets a new standard for sustainable IT procurement. The department’s commitment to sustainable laptops, rigorous sustainability criteria, and transparent reporting demonstrates how public sector organisations can meet environmental targets without compromising on performance or value for money.
Other organisations can follow this model by integrating sustainability criteria into procurement processes, working with suppliers who provide verified carbon data and net zero commitments, and adopting sustainable IT as a default option. The environmental benefits are substantial, the financial case is strong, and the precedent has been set.
As the UK public sector continues its digital transformation, the adoption of sustainable IT procurement practices will be essential. Sustainable IT offers a practical, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible way to meet these goals. Defra’s example provides a clear roadmap for others to follow.
