When we talk about sustainability in surveying, we usually think about digital workflows, fewer site visits or greater field efficiency. But there is a decision with an immediate and measurable effect on the sector’s carbon footprint: extending the life of existing equipment. That is exactly what Leica CPEC does. And today, that impact can be expressed in real figures.
Reusing equipment also reduces emissions
Most of the environmental footprint of a total station, GNSS receiver or laser scanner is generated before it even reaches the user. Raw material extraction, electronic component manufacturing and global transport account for the largest share.
When an instrument is refurbished and returned to the market, that impact is not repeated.
Only in 2024, refurbished equipment sales avoided the production of 341 new units.
Measured impact in one year
15.5 tonnes of CO₂e avoided
45 kg of CO₂e avoided per refurbished unit replacing a new one
More than 20 tonnes of manufacturing emissions prevented
This is not a generic estimate. It is based on a direct comparison between the emissions required to manufacture new equipment and those generated by the actual refurbishment process.
Where the real footprint of a surveying instrument lies
We often associate environmental impact with energy consumption during use. In reality, the largest share comes from production.
Manufacturing a total station can exceed 150 kg of CO₂e before it ever arrives on site. Refurbishment avoids repeating that entire process.
Refurbishment has an impact too, but significantly lower
To provide a complete and transparent picture, the study also includes emissions from:
- Workshop energy consumption
- New batteries when required
- Transport to the customer
Even when these factors are included, the balance remains clearly positive.
Emissions generated by the refurbishment process
276 kg of CO₂e from workshop electricity consumption
4.9 tonnes of CO₂e including batteries and logistics
Circular economy applied to precision technology
This model works because surveying instruments are designed for long service lives and for recalibration, maintenance and certification.
Refurbishment makes it possible to return them to the market with the same level of performance and reliability, which directly results in:
- Less electronic waste
- Lower raw material demand
- Reduced need for new manufacturing
- A smaller carbon footprint for the sector
An impact that continues over time
Avoided emissions are calculated at the moment a refurbished unit replaces a new one. But the real benefit extends far beyond that point.
The instrument continues working for years.
Its entry into the waste stream is delayed.
Future manufacturing demand is reduced.
It is a reduction in emissions today and in the long term.
A technical, economic and environmental decision
Choosing refurbished technology helps organisations:
- Reduce the carbon footprint of their projects
- Move forward with sustainability and ESG targets
- Introduce circular economy criteria into daily operations
All without compromising on accuracy, reliability or warranty.
Measuring impact means moving forward
Quantifying avoided emissions turns sustainability into a concrete and comparable indicator. It enables better decision-making, prioritisation of lower-impact solutions and measurable progress towards Net Zero.
In a sector where technology is built to last, giving equipment a second life is one of the most direct ways to reduce the environmental impact of surveying.
