Refurbished Tech: Affordable, Sustainable Employee Benefits
Technology now sits at the centre of everyday life. It helps people work, learn, manage money, stay connected and support their families. Yet as living costs remain high, replacing a broken phone, laptop or tablet can feel like another financial pressure employees could do without. Yet, we’re talking about the tech your employees can’t live without. Today, businesses want benefits that feel relevant, responsible, and valuable in real life, and a Refurbished Tech scheme brings those needs together. Read on to learn how this cost-neutral employee benefit supports financial wellbeing, digital inclusion and sustainability.
Quick answer:
Refurbished technology gives employees access to quality smartphones, laptops, tablets, gaming consoles and other devices at a lower cost than buying new. For employers, it provides a cost-neutral employee benefit that supports financial wellbeing, reduces electronic waste and contributes to ESG goals. For employees, it makes tech more affordable and accessible without going into debt.
In a hurry? Here are our top three takeaways from our blog on Refurbished Tech: Affordable, sustainable employee benefits.
1. Making tech more inclusive and affordable: Refurbished tech can cost significantly less than buying brand-new devices while still providing access to the latest technology.
2. A Refurbished Tech scheme enhances your CSR credentials: Choosing refurbished devices helps reduce e-waste and lowers the environmental impact associated with manufacturing new products.
3. Making money stretch further: Employee benefits that make technology more affordable can support financial wellbeing and help employees avoid unnecessary debt.
Got time to stick around? Let's dive a little deeper.
How refurbished technology creates value
| Benefit area | What it means for employees | What it means for employers |
| Affordability | Access to quality phones, laptops, tablets and other devices at a lower cost than buying new. | A practical, cost-neutral benefit that helps employees manage essential household costs. |
| Financial wellbeing | More manageable ways to buy or replace essential technology without relying on high-interest borrowing. | Stronger support for everyday financial pressures, not just long-term savings or future-focused benefits. |
| Digital inclusion | Improved access to the devices employees and their families need for work, education and everyday life | A benefit that supports a more connected, included and equipped workforce. |
| Sustainability | A lower-impact way to access technology by extending the life of existing devices. | A tangible way to support ESG and CSR goals by helping reduce e-waste and demand for new manufacturing. |
Why affordable technology matters more than ever
Technology is no longer a luxury. From schoolwork and online learning to banking, healthcare appointments, and everyday communication; access to reliable technology has become a necessity for modern life. Yet replacing a smartphone, laptop, or tablet can be an expensive, unexpected cost.
For many employees, this can create a difficult choice: continue using outdated or damaged technology, take on debt to replace it, or delay an essential purchase altogether.
At the same time, millions of perfectly usable devices sit unused in drawers, cupboards and offices across the UK.
The challenge for employers is clear: how do you help your people access the technology they need while supporting wider sustainability goals?
One solution is refurbished technology.
Quick takeaway:
Refurbished technology helps employers respond to three connected pressures at once: affordability, access and sustainability.
What is refurbished technology?
Refurbished technology refers to devices that have been professionally tested, repaired where necessary, cleaned, certified and prepared for resale.
This can include:
- Smartphones
- Laptops
- Tablets and iPads
- Smart watches
- Gaming consoles
- Computer accessories and peripherals
Make no mistake: refurbished doesn’t mean outdated.
The technology market moves quickly, with new device models launched every year. Many refurbished products are recent-generation devices that still deliver excellent performance at a significantly lower price than buying new.
The growing demand for refurbished devices
The refurbished technology market is growing rapidly as consumers look for smarter ways to manage household costs and reduce environmental impact.
Rising living costs mean more people are actively seeking alternatives to buying brand-new devices. At the same time, greater awareness of sustainability issues is encouraging consumers and businesses to extend the lifespan of technology wherever possible.
This shift reflects a broader change in attitudes.
People increasingly care about value, not just price. They want technology that performs well, supports their everyday life and makes them feel like they’re helping reduce their carbon footprint.
The combination of affordability and sustainability is why refurbished tech continues to gain momentum.
Quick takeaway:
Demand is rising because refurbished tech gives people a smarter way to access the devices they need without compromising on value or values.
The hidden cost of electronic waste
Electronic waste, or e-waste, is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally.
According to the United Nations' Global E-Waste Monitor, the world generated approximately 62 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022, yet only around 22% was formally collected and recycled.
Many discarded devices still contain valuable materials and components that could remain in use for years.
Extending the life of existing technology helps reduce:
- Raw material extraction
- Manufacturing emissions
- Landfill waste
- Premature disposal of working devices
For organisations pursuing ESG, CSR or sustainability objectives, encouraging refurbishment and reuse represents a practical action that delivers measurable environmental benefits.
Quick takeaway:
Extending the life of existing devices turns sustainability from a corporate ambition into a practical everyday choice employees can make.
Refurbished Tech can help reduce carbon emissions
Most electronic devices have their greatest environmental impact during manufacturing.
Research highlighted by Circular Computing found that producing a new laptop can generate approximately 331kg CO₂e.
When employees choose refurbished technology instead of buying new, they help avoid some of the emissions associated with manufacturing additional devices.
While one purchase may seem small, the collective impact across a workforce can support wider sustainability goals and contribute towards corporate environmental ambitions.
Supporting employee financial wellbeing
Financial wellbeing isn't only about salaries, pensions and savings. It's also about helping employees manage major purchases without creating unnecessary financial pressure.
Technology can be one of these costs.
Children increasingly require access to laptops and tablets for schoolwork, while many employees rely on smartphones and computers for both professional and personal responsibilities.
The Digital Poverty Alliance has previously highlighted that many young people still lack adequate access to digital devices, creating barriers to education, employment and opportunity.
Making technology more affordable can help address these challenges.
By providing access to quality refurbished devices through employee benefits, employers can help employees:
- Avoid high-interest borrowing
- Spread essential costs more manageably
- Replace damaged devices sooner
- Access technology for family members
- Improve digital inclusion
A modern, effective employee value proposition focuses on practical support employees genuinely value.
Quick takeaway:
When technology becomes more affordable, employees can stay connected, productive and included without unnecessary financial strain.
How the Pluxee UK Refurbished Tech scheme works
Our Refurbished Tech scheme gives employees access to quality refurbished devices and multiple ways to pay.
Employees can:
- Buy refurbished phones, laptops, tablets, gaming consoles and more
- Trade in old devices to offset costs
- Sell unwanted technology for cash
- Repair existing devices
- Access temporary loan devices during repairs
- Compare SIM-only deals
For employers, implementation is straightforward. The scheme is cost-neutral, free to implement and designed to fit alongside an existing employee benefits offering.
Flexible ways to pay
Every workforce is different.
That's why the scheme offers multiple payment options, including:
- Buy upfront: Employees can purchase devices outright through a simple online transaction.
- Salary deduction: Eligible employees can spread the cost through payroll deductions, making larger purchases more manageable.
- Salary sacrifice: Where appropriate, employees may be able to access additional tax and National Insurance efficiencies through salary sacrifice arrangements.
Quick takeaway:
A cost-neutral scheme gives employers a practical way to enhance benefits without adding extra budget pressure.
Why refurbished technology belongs in an employee benefits strategy
A Refurbished Tech scheme is a vital part of your employee benefits strategy because it supports two essential parts of their life: their money and their health. Tech keeps people connected, enables them to access savings, like through the Pluxee App, gives them access to a digital health platform, and so much more, while saving them money and preventing them from going into debt.
Many employee benefits provide value later. Refurbished technology delivers value today.
It helps employees solve immediate challenges:
- Replacing a broken phone
- Purchasing a laptop for education
- Funding technology for children
- Managing household expenses
- Making more sustainable purchasing decisions
Refurbished Tech supports outcomes employees genuinely experience in their everyday lives.
For employers, it demonstrates a commitment to financial wellbeing, sustainability and practical support without increasing benefit costs.
Quick takeaway:
Refurbished tech works best as part of a benefits strategy because it connects everyday employee need with measurable business and ESG value.
Sustainable technology that works for people and planet
The future of technology is not simply about buying more. It's about getting more value from what already exists: supporting your employees’ wallets and helping the planet.
Refurbished technology helps employees access the devices they need at a lower cost while giving businesses a meaningful way to support sustainability, reduce waste and enhance financial wellbeing.
By helping people save money and reduce environmental impact at the same time, refurbished tech delivers genuine value for employees, employers, and society.
Key takeaway:
Refurbished technology is more than a lower-cost alternative to buying new. It is a practical employee benefit that supports financial wellbeing, improves access to essential devices and helps organisations make sustainability part of everyday employee value.
FAQs
What is refurbished technology?
Refurbished technology refers to electronic devices that have been professionally inspected, tested, repaired where necessary and prepared for resale.
Is refurbished tech reliable?
Yes. Reputable refurbishment providers test devices and grade them by condition, ensuring they meet quality standards before sale.
Is refurbished technology cheaper than buying new?
In most cases, yes. Refurbished devices are typically available at a significantly lower price than equivalent new models.
How does refurbished technology help the environment?
Refurbished devices extend the lifespan of existing products, helping reduce electronic waste, manufacturing emissions and demand for new raw materials.
What is e-waste?
E-waste is discarded electronic equipment such as phones, laptops, tablets and other digital devices.
Can refurbished technology support employee wellbeing?
Yes. Affordable access to essential technology can reduce financial pressure, support digital inclusion and help employees manage important household expenses.
What are the benefits of offering refurbished technology as an employee benefit?
Benefits include improved financial wellbeing support, enhanced ESG outcomes, greater employee choice, reduced e-waste and access to affordable technology.
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