Are reconditioned smartphones environmentally friendly?
Why buying reconditioned mobiles has become the responsible and sustainable technological way of consumption ?
Most mobile phones have a surprisingly short life span. We have been trained by brands to change our phones every year, although they still work perfectly. This obviously means that we could spend even more than we already have. But this constant improvement and mobile change, also creates a huge amount of waste.
There are almost as many phones on our planet as human beings. We replace mobile phones very frequently and the level of purchase of new devices is very remarkable (and for many unsustainable).
Therefore, if you are aware of the impact this has on the environment, buying a refurbished cell phone is the best option.
How much waste do mobile phone manufacturers generate?
Greenpeace said that smartphone manufacturing has a "disastrous" impact on the environment *. A phone has an average usage of just over two years before being discarded by its original owner.
When a manufacturer establishes a production line to manufacture mobile phones, there are several risks and disadvantages for the environment. Energy consumption related to progress in the production line, manufacturing waste and neglected disposal of batteries allows chemicals to escape for many years and affects the environment.
Greenpeace estimated that between 2007 and 2017, the manufacture of smartphones had consumed as much electricity as a country like India in a whole year **. At that time, more than 7 million devices were manufactured.
Activists have tried to convince Samsung, one of the world's largest manufacturers, to recycle and reuse mobile phones or components used in making the Note 7 model. This phone became famous after its battery explosions. In total, more than four million devices were returned.
Activists have tried to convince Samsung, one of the world's largest manufacturers, to recycle and reuse mobile phones or components used in making the Note 7 model. This phone became famous after its battery explosions. In total, more than four million devices were returned.
Less than 16% of e-waste is currently recycled. It is a small quantity and very worrying. Batteries are now the main problem, especially because few devices have batteries that can be removed, which means that the entire device dies when its battery runs out.
Durability & reuse
Although in some cases a phone is badly damaged and needs to be replaced, buying a new phone is less environmentally friendly. On the other hand, choosing a reconditioned mobile phone in very good condition, reducing technological waste, encourages manufacturers to act more responsibly and is financially more affordable.
If you want to help respect the environment and reduce the impact, you can do it: sell your phone to a company that repackages or recycles it and buy a refurbished mobile phone . With a warranty of 12 to 24 months, refurbished phones are the security of a 100% functional smartphone, fully disassembled and carefully controlled, reconditioned with genuine parts for a quality with the same requirements as those of the manufacturer. Products reconditioned in short circuit and accompanied by an after sell service are an eco-responsible decision.
* The environmental impact of a smartphone- Greenpeace Mx; Edith Martínez - February 2017
** From intelligent to meaningless: The global impact of ten years of smartphones- Greenpeace USA; Jude Lee- February 2017