When it comes to content creation, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the production process — getting the perfect shot, capturing crisp audio or meeting your deadlines. But when you look at the bigger picture — your time, your bottom line and, even more, our planet — a few small changes can make a huge impact. One way you can immediately help both your pocketbook and the planet is by opting for used gear over brand-new gear.
MPB believes sustainability efforts need to go beyond what the laws require. As the largest global platform to buy, sell and trade used photo and video gear, MPB gives all videographers the option to get quality used gear. This not only saves money but also helps protect the environment.
Going circular
A major part of being an ethically responsible company is operating within the circular economy. The circular economy focuses on reducing waste by keeping products, materials and resources in use for as long as possible. Instead of following the traditional “take, make, dispose” approach, a circular economy emphasizes reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling to create a closed-loop system. Products are designed to last longer, and once they reach the end of their life, they’re repurposed and recycled into new products. This ultimately minimizes the need for new resources, cutting down on pollution and waste sent to landfills.
MPB’s commitment to an ethically responsible business framework
Within the circular economy, MPB operates in the product reuse phase and follows environmentally responsible practices.
First, MPB encourages the idea of reusing gear, which keeps products in circulation and out of landfills. This approach reduces the demand for new manufacturing, which in turn cuts down on energy and resource use and limits waste. In fact, in 2024, MPB recirculated over 570,000 items.
Additionally, sustainability goes beyond just the products — it includes how they’re packaged and shipped. MPB has adopted 100% plastic-free packaging that’s reusable and recyclable. MPB also maintains a zero-waste policy, ensuring all materials are reused or recycled instead of ending up in landfills.
To further its dedication to sustainability, MPB has set a goal of using 100% renewable electricity by 2025 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2030 for building energy and by 2035 for courier services. In 2023, MPB sourced about 35% of its electricity from renewable sources, with plans to increase this as they switch to renewable providers and more eco-friendly options.
How you can make a big impact going used
Making the switch to used gear is a small step with a surprisingly large impact. When you choose pre-owned cameras, lenses and accessories, you’re actively reducing the demand for newly manufactured products, which are resource-intensive to produce and transport. Each item that gets a second (or even third) life in your hands means fewer raw materials are mined, less energy is consumed, and less waste ends up in landfills.
MPB’s recommerce platform simplifies this process, making it easy to find high-quality gear that’s inspected, guaranteed and ready for use right away.
Making a difference, one piece of gear at a time
Each piece of used gear you choose to buy represents a meaningful choice for the planet. Through MPB’s commitment to sustainability, every camera, lens or accessory that gets a second life contributes to reducing waste, conserving resources and lowering emissions. It’s more than just gear—it’s a chance to support a circular economy that benefits the environment and makes visual storytelling accessible to all.
By choosing pre-owned, you’re not only investing in quality equipment at a fraction of the cost, but you’re also helping protect the planet, one piece of gear at a time. Together, small choices can add up to big changes. To help MPB facilitate a more sustainable environment, you can head over to mpb.com.
