Designing AV systems that last: The sustainability conversation the industry needs
AV systems are lasting longer. Or at least, they should be. Across the channel, tighter budgets, ESG targets and more complex environments are forcing a rethink of how systems are designed, specified and maintained over time. For integrators and end-users alike, this is changing what good looks like – from short-term specification to long-term system performance.
Here is a look at where the pro AV sector is making real progress in 2026, and where the industry still has work to do.
One of the most important changes is also one of the least flashy: a growing recognition that the most sustainable AV system is often the one that stays in use for longer. In practice, that means focusing more on design choices such as serviceability, modularity and the ability to upgrade individual components instead of replacing an entire system.
That is where real progress is being made. More of the market is now talking seriously about lifecycle thinking, with greater attention on repair, refurbishment and managed refresh strategies rather than simple rip-and-replace projects. For resellers, that creates a clearer commercial advantage: a system designed for longevity can reduce downtime, lower total cost of ownership and give end-users a clearer path to future upgrades.
Beyond the spec sheet
It is easy to treat sustainability as a checklist of product claims, but real-world outcomes depend on much more than power consumption figures alone.
A sustainable AV project is shaped by how equipment is selected, how long it remains useful, how easy it is to maintain and what happens to it at end of life.
That broader view is especially relevant for integrators. Customers may start by asking for lower energy use, but many are really looking for something larger: systems that fit into long-term workplace strategies, reduce waste and avoid unnecessary refresh costs over time. In other words, sustainability in AV is becoming less about a single product feature and more about the quality of the overall design decision.
This is also where the channel can add genuine value. Resellers who lead this conversation can shape better system decisions, reduce long-term cost for customers and position themselves as strategic partners rather than product suppliers - far more useful than simply pointing to a greener badge on a box.
AV’s role in smarter buildings
Another area of meaningful progress is the relationship between AV and smart building systems. AV is increasingly being positioned not as a standalone technology stack, but as part of a connected workplace environment that can share data with wider building systems and help reduce unnecessary energy use.
In practical terms, this can mean rooms that respond more intelligently to occupancy, displays and devices that power down when spaces are unused, and collaboration environments that contribute to broader operational efficiency targets. For end-users, that supports lower running costs and better reporting. For integrators, it creates a stronger business case because AV becomes part of the customer’s wider building and workplace strategy, not just a line item in a fit-out budget.
That broader relevance matters. When AV helps support utilisation, automation and energy management, it becomes easier to show why investment in better system design has value beyond the meeting room itself.
Circular thinking in AV
There is still a great deal of work to do, particularly around waste. Pro AV is part of the wider electronics ecosystem, and the industry’s contribution to the global e-waste challenge is becoming harder to ignore.
That is why circular thinking is gaining traction. Approaches such as repair, reuse, refurbishment and more responsible refresh cycles are moving from nice-to-have ideas into a more serious part of AV planning, and some organisations are also exploring service-led models that keep assets in use for longer and improve end-of-life accountability. For the channel, this opens up new conversations around managed services, asset visibility and ongoing support rather than one-off hardware transactions.
None of this means the industry has solved the problem. Cost pressures, procurement habits and the temptation to replace rather than repair still get in the way. But the direction of travel is clearer than it was even a few years ago: better sustainability in AV will come from designing systems with longer lives, connecting them more intelligently to the spaces around them and treating end-of-life planning as part of the project from the start.
Why this matters now
For resellers, this is not just an Earth Day talking point. It is a commercial opportunity to lead better customer conversations - ones built around lifecycle value, workplace performance and practical ways to reduce waste, rather than simply selling the next box as quickly as possible.
And for end-users, the message is equally clear. Sustainable AV does not have to mean compromise; in many cases, it means better-designed systems, lower operational friction and smarter use of resources over time.
At Midwich UK&I, sustainability is also part of the wider business agenda, with a stated goal to reach net zero across controllable emissions by 2035 and 95% of sites already using renewable electricity. That gives the conversation real relevance for the channel: the opportunity now is to turn sustainability from a message into a practical design principle that benefits both reseller partners and the customers they support.
Turn sustainability into a practical design advantage. Visit Innovation House with your customers and see how smarter AV system design can reduce cost, extend lifecycle and improve performance.
If you’d like to hear about our own approach to sustainability here at Midwich, learn more here.
