It’s estimated that in the U.S. alone, there are over 300 million startups created each year. You’ve probably heard everything there is to hear about new businesses, from their success rates (or lack thereof) to how much it might cost to get started. 

But, now more than ever, new businesses are focusing on sustainability, rather than a bottom line. Consumers are demanding sustainable practices from the businesses they know and trust. This is largely due to so much knowledge being made public when it comes to the environment. People are thinking about their futures, and the next generation. 

You might also have several ideas in place that can make your new business venture more sustainable. Maybe you’re reducing your original idea for office space, or opting to go paperless from the start. But, there’s something you may not have thought of yet – renting your technology. 

What does that mean, how can you do it, and can it really help your business be more eco-friendly from the start? 

Why Renting is Effective

The problem of e-waste continues to grow every year. To put it in perspective, nearly 50 metric tons of electronic waste get dumped into landfills every year. That includes phones, computers, towers, and any form of technology you can think of. 

It’s a bigger problem than most people realize. While some parts of electronic equipment can be recycled, so many people don’t know how to go about doing that properly. So, they end up just throwing things away and filling up our landfills. 

The Benefits of Renting

Instead of buying new equipment and throwing it away when it becomes outdated, renting your IT equipment can save you money and do wonders for the planet. If every company in the country or across the world rented equipment, we would be able to clear so much space from our landfills. 

When you rent tech equipment, you’ll return it to the provider once you’re done. That provider can then rent it out again to a business that needs it. Not only does this create less waste, but fewer factory jobs will be needed where excess energy is used, and toxins can be released into the air. When factories are working around the clock to continuously fill the demand for computers and tech products, they’re releasing harmful waste into the environment. 

However, multiple users renting out a single piece of equipment dramatically reduces the need for so much factory work. This will help to reduce carbon emissions, clear the air, and even reduce water pollution. If more businesses are willing to rent equipment rather than buying it, it will drastically slow the damage being done to the environment, buying us all more time to focus on additional ways to protect the planet.

In the right hands, tech equipment can last years before showing any signs of wear and tear. So, it can go through multiple businesses before it officially needs to be thrown away. Something as simple as a laptop rental can be effective, giving you what you need immediately, and allowing you to return it when you move on to something else. 

How it Works

Different computer rental companies have their own rules, regulations, and delivery times in place. You can do your research to determine which one fits your needs and is willing to develop a lasting relationship with your business. 

Ideally, you should go with a rental company that is willing to give you honest quotes upfront, and someone that can deliver your equipment to you on the same day, if possible. 

Like anything else you might rent, you pay a regular fee to keep the product and return it when you’re done. 

Keep in mind that when you’re renting, you’re not getting “second hand” items or things that are outdated. You can enjoy all the benefits of a brand new computer in just about any model you might like. There really aren’t any downsides to consider as you rent to help yourself, your business, and the planet. 

When you take the time to learn more about the e-waste epidemic, renting your tech equipment instantly seems like a better idea. Plus, if you’re just getting started as a business, it can be a much more cost-effective way to get up and running without having to spend thousands of dollars right away on expensive equipment. If you’ve never heard of renting your tech before, now is the perfect time to start doing your research on why you should be doing it and how it can help your company. As a bonus, it’ll help the planet, as well.