Used software –
Smart solutions for businesses and IT partners
Trading in used Microsoft licences is a strong example of a functioning circular economy in the digital world. Instead of a throwaway culture, it promotes a lifecycle approach in which products and resources are kept in use for as long as possible. In addition to ecological benefits, purchasing used licences also offers clear economic advantages. Organisations can reduce their software costs and free up budget that can be reinvested in more sustainable business practices.
How companies can reduce both their carbon footprint and costs through the right IT strategy
has been calculated for us by ClimatePartner.
From our founding in 2017 until February 2025,
the use of reused Microsoft licences has helped MRM customers save:
318t CO2e
To calculate the CO2e savings from reused Microsoft licences, ClimatePartner analysed the product life cycle (LCA). Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of emissions (99.2%) are generated during distribution and storage as well as during the active use of the software. Only these phases — and therefore Scope 3.1 and Scope 3.11 — were included by ClimatePartner when assessing the CO₂ footprint.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
The calculations are based, among other factors, on the following criteria:
- Number of licences sold by MRM since 2017
- Differentiation between application servers, access licences, office applications and operating systems
- Data volumes generated through uploads and downloads, measured in gigabytes
- Usage patterns such as “average user time”
- Processor load (Central Processing Unit, CPU), differentiated between desktop and mobile applications
Driving a circular economy in IT together
At MRM, we bring the right stakeholders together. Our goal is to enable a functioning circular economy in the IT sector through strong partnerships, while actively driving digitalisation forward.
Join us and become part of this exciting movement towards a
more sustainable and efficient IT future.