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Lease or buy? How to think about recycling equipment

28 May 2026 · 3 min read

One of the first questions we get asked is whether to lease or buy. There is no single right answer, but there is a sensible way to think about it.

When buying makes sense

If the equipment is core to your operation, you expect to run it for years, and you have the capital, buying usually wins on total cost. You own the asset, there is no ongoing rental, and a well-maintained machine holds value.

When leasing makes sense

Leasing suits a shorter need, a specific contract, or a position where you would rather keep capital free. It also lowers the risk of committing to a technology before you are sure it is the right fit for your material.

Get an impartial view

Because we both supply and trade new and used machinery, we can lay out the real options either way, including buying used or leasing to start. The goal is the equipment that earns its keep, not the biggest sale. That is what our consultancy is for.