The Lifecycle Optimization Calculator (LOC) below estimates the environmental and financial impacts of changing a company's recommended lifespan (RL) for a specific type of device.  The RL is the amount of time a functioning company-owned device is used before the company recommends replacement.  Many of the current RLs are based on original, out-dated warranties and do not correlate with any concrete evidence about device efficiency in the workplace.  By disposing of functioning machines, companies are generating an excess of e-waste, negatively impacting the environment and wasting company resources.  The LOC estimates financial and environmental benefits of extending the lifespan of a device based on a number of variables including device type, loss of work time, and cost of device. For more information about the LOC's variables, calculations, and sources please read the LOC Documentation (pdf).

Lifecycle Optimization Calculator

Step 1: Select a device.

Select device Desktop iPad Laptop Smartphone Tablet Other

Step 2: Choose a new desired recommended lifespan (RL).

a) Drag to select the current RL (yrs) of .


Current RL: Years

b) Drag to select the desired increase in RL (yrs) for .


Desired change in RL: Years

Desired new RL for : Years

Step 3: Fill in the following information based on your selected device.

If you are unsure about any of the following information, click to fill in estimated possible values.
Enter the average hourly technician salary.

Enter the average time a tech spends on ordering and installing new .

Enter the average amount of time an employee loses during the installation and set-up of .

Enter the average annual salary of employees.

Enter the average hours worked annually by an employee.

Enter the average cost of .

Enter the total number of currently owned by your institution.

Environmental equivalencies calculated from https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator.