How ZOA Saved Costs by Investing Sustainably

More organisations are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact and give back to society. Previously, this level of ambition remained largely with lofty statements and future aspirations; we are now seeing a clear shift with organisations setting concrete sustainability goals and developing policies to achieve them.

An inspiring example is the ZOA Foundation. The foundation, with a clear vision for sustainable operations, has been actively contributing to the transition towards a circular economy since 2016.

Table of Contents

• About ZOA
• Balancing quality, sustainability and cost
• A sustainable solution
• Refurbished laptops that make an impact
• Take your organisation further

About ZOA

ZOA is a non-governmental organisation that provides aid to people affected by conflicts or natural disasters. With its headquarters in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands, ZOA employs around 900 people and operates in twelve countries. They work worldwide to restore the livelihoods of affected communities. The organisation contributes to a renewed perspective of hope, where people collaborate towards a promising future built on dignity, peace, and mutual trust.

Many of ZOA’s projects focus on the consequences of climate change. Sustainability is not only an important theme in the conflict regions where they operate; the Dutch headquarters strives for sustainable operations. This includes initiatives such as responsible procurement, the use of solar panels, investment in the local economy, and reducing the organisation’s ecological footprint.



Balancing quality, sustainability and cost
As ZOA operates worldwide, reliable and future-proof IT is crucial. At the same time, the foundation aims to invest in high-quality equipment that aligns with its sustainability ambitions. The challenge, however, was to combine quality, sustainability and financial feasibility.

A new IT rollout is expensive. For charities, making budget-conscious decisions is essential to ensure funds are used where they matter most, which makes refurbished IT a smart and responsible choice. Equally important are lead times. Employees need fast access to reliable, high-performing hardware. Long delivery times directly disrupt daily operations.

This was a key reason to seek a new, more efficient solution. In addition, the foundation wanted to make the procurement process less labour-intensive and easier to manage.

A sustainable solution

Since 2025, we have been working together to supply high-quality refurbished laptops. ZOA chose RefurbishedDirect because we offer a combination of reliability, sustainability and financially attractive solutions.

Key reasons for choosing RefurbishedDirect:

• Competitive pricing
• Fixed price agreements
• Flexibility
• Warranty and assurance

Our Account Manager’s Experience

“Knowing that our laptops are being used all over the world to support development aid is something we can be proud of. It’s great to be able to play a small part in ZOA’s mission.”

Refurbished laptops that make in impact

Since the beginning of our collaboration, the first improvements have already become visible. Many of the previous challenges have been significantly reduced, particularly in terms of cost savings and lead times. The team now has access to modern, high-performing devices that can keep pace with the demands of their work, reducing frustration, improving efficiency, and enabling them to focus fully on their mission. Plus, by opting for refurbished equipment, ZOA has made an important step towards achieving its sustainability goals.

Take your organisation further

The collaboration with ZOA demonstrates how smart IT choices can make a real impact. Curious about what RefurbishedDirect could do for your business or organisation? Feel free to contact us on 030-2484009 or via our contact form.