What to Do with Your Old Vacuum Pump: 5 Smart and Sustainable Options August 29, 2025
What to Do with Your Old Vacuum Pump: 5 Smart and Sustainable Options
Upgrading your vacuum system? Don't let your old pump gather dust—or worse, end up in a landfill. Whether you're replacing outdated equipment or optimizing for efficiency, there are responsible, sustainable, and even cost-effective ways to handle your used vacuum pump.
Here are five responsible and sustainable actions you can take when it's time to retire a vacuum pump:
Refurbish and Extend Its Life
Just because a pump isn’t performing like new doesn’t mean it’s ready for retirement. Refurbishing or reconditioning can restore vacuum performance and extend equipment life significantly.
At Leybold, we offer professional vacuum pump overhauls that include:
- Disassembly and cleaning
- Replacement of worn components
- Performance testing
- Re-certification
This is especially valuable for organizations with multiple pumps, where downtime and replacements can be costly. Choosing refurbishment not only saves money, but also reduces waste and supports sustainable asset management.
⚠️And if uptime is critical, our Exchange Pool Program provides an even faster option. Instead of waiting for a repair, customers can return their used pump and receive a fully overhauled replacement unit from our inventory—minimizing downtime while maximizing efficiency.
Note: For customers with older pumps or pumps that have already undergone multiple repairs (2+ times), our experts often recommend transitioning to new equipment. Bringing such pumps especially Dryvac or Screwline models up to a “Certified” level may be cost-prohibitive, as major components like the screws often need replacement. In many cases, the investment required is not far from the price of a discounted new pump.
That’s why Leybold experts will guide you toward long-term, cost-effective solutions by evaluating the total cost of ownership.
Donate to Education or Research Institutions
Your used vacuum pump can become a valuable teaching tool. Vocational schools, universities, and research institutes often work with limited budgets and welcome donations of functional (or repairable) equipment. Even older models can be used for educational demonstrations or low-risk experiments.
Bonus: Equipment donations may be tax-deductible, depending on your local regulations.
Repurpose for Spare Parts
Even non-functional pumps hold value—especially if you operate other units of the same make or model. Motors, fittings, seals, and filters can be salvaged and used for maintenance or repairs. Keeping one old pump for parts can extend the life of others and reduce operating costs.
Tip: Make sure to store the parts in a clean, labeled environment for easy access later.
Recycle Through a Certified Facility
Vacuum pumps often contain metals, electronics, and residual oils, which must be handled according to environmental and safety standards. Certified recycling centers can break down the unit, recover useful materials, and dispose of hazardous substances properly.
This step helps reduce landfill waste and conserves valuable raw materials like aluminum, copper, and steel.
Use a Professional Buy-Back Program
If you want a convenient and sustainable way to retire your pump—without the hassle of reselling or dismantling—it’s worth exploring a professional buy-back program.
For example, Leybold’s Buy-Back Program offers an easy solution to return used vacuum pumps (regardless of brand). Returned units are evaluated and either:
- Refurbished for reuse,
- Disassembled for parts, or
- Responsibly recycled.
This ensures that your equipment is handled in a way that aligns with environmental best practices, while also simplifying the process for you.
🌍 Did you know? Participating in a buy-back program helps support the circular economy by reducing waste and extending the lifecycle of valuable equipment.
Learn more about Leybold’s commitment to sustainability and how to return your used pump here:
No matter the condition of your old vacuum pump, there’s always a smarter solution than the landfill. From donating to recycling to participating in a buy-back program, your actions can make a difference—for your operations and for the planet.
