How refurbished items save the planet (and are good for you, too)
Introduction: The Value of Refurbished
In an increasingly digital world, we consume electronic devices at a rapid pace. Smartphones, drones, game consoles, high-tech vacuum cleaners, and accessories become obsolete or are discarded well before their natural end.
Choosing refurbished products means giving perfectly functioning devices a "second life," avoiding waste, reducing environmental impact, and promoting a circular economy.
The environmental benefits of remanufacturing:
1. Reduction of electronic waste (e-waste)
E-waste is among the fastest-growing waste streams in the world. In 2022, approximately 62 million tons of e-waste were generated globally.
By keeping a device in use longer through reconditioning, you delay its arrival in landfills or recycling facilities. In other words: less waste, fewer toxic substances released, and lower disposal costs.
2. Conservation of natural resources
The production of an electronic device from scratch requires raw materials (minerals, rare metals, plastics, glass) and large amounts of energy for extraction, processing, and assembly.
Recycling and reprocessing reduces the demand for new raw materials, limiting the environmental impact of mining, water, and air pollution.
3. Lower carbon emissions
Much of an electronic product's environmental impact occurs during the manufacturing and distribution phases. Some studies show that purchasing a refurbished device can reduce its CO₂ impact by 77% to 91% compared to a new product.
For example, according to a study cited by Flexit Distribution, reconditioning allows for a 78% saving in CO₂ emissions for devices such as smartphones and tablets.
Another example: a business with 250 refurbished devices could save over 15,000 kg of CO₂ compared to purchasing new devices.
4. Lower consumption of water and other resources
The production process for new devices also involves high water and chemical costs. An analysis cited by Flexit states that, for refurbished smartphones and tablets, the required water consumption is 86% lower than for a new device.
5. Lifecycle extension & repair culture
Refurbishing encourages a culture of repair rather than replacement. When maintenance and repair are seen as normal and accessible, the creation of disposable devices is reduced.
Additionally, with longer-lasting devices, each unit produced yields more in terms of usage and environmental value.
Conclusion
Choosing a refurbished device isn't just a smart financial choice: it's an environmentally responsible one. Every refurbished device contributes to:
- reduce electronic waste
- conserve natural resources
- reduce CO₂ emissions
- limit water use and chemical impact
- promote a culture of repair and reuse