This year's theme for Earth Day 2023 is #InvestInOurPlanet. What does this motto mean, how can we make a contribution ourselves? And what role could refurbished smartphones play in this? The day is intended to encourage us as people to recognize our responsibility for the planet we live on. In this context, taking responsibility means creating a transition to a fairer and greener economy. With more than a billion participants - including institutions, governments and companies - Earth Day is one of the largest annual environmental campaigns. A variety of activities take place on this day, such as rallies, clean-up campaigns and tree plantings.
As a sustainable refurbished tech company, we have been making a contribution to the environment since our company was founded. In fact, our expertise in the field of circular economy enables us to avoid electronic waste and save valuable resources, for example by refurbishing and reselling used smartphones. That's why on Earth Day we would like to appeal to everyone who wants to buy a smartphone: Buy refurbished!
But what exactly is refurbished? And isn't refurbished just used goods?
The refurbishing process or general overhaul can be applied to numerous products. These are often refurbished smartphones, laptops, smartwatches and tablets. Premium products from Apple such as refurbished iPhones or refurbished iPads are particularly popular with consumers.
The process can go like this: A customer returns her used iPad to the retailer within the 30-day cancellation period because she is not satisfied with the device. Since the tablet has hardly been used, it is in a condition that corresponds to a new device. However, since it has already been unpacked, the retailer cannot simply sell the tablet as a new device. Specialized companies - like us at Janado - come into play at this point. We prepare the device, test its functionality and clean it. In the next step, we sell the now refurbished iPad in "like new" condition, thus avoiding disposal of the product.
But functional electronic products that have already been in use for a certain amount of time can also be refurbished. By refurbishing the fully functional smartphone, which could be two years old, it can continue to be used instead of being thrown away. This reuse reduces the amount of electronic waste and avoids the purchase of a new product. Such a smartphone may then have the status "very good" or "good". To illustrate this: An iPhone 12 has been in use for around 24 months and has a defective battery. Otherwise, everything works as usual. During refurbishment, all defective components are replaced - in this case it is the battery. The goal is to get the device into a condition that is as close as possible to a new smartphone.
Why is refurbishing so important for the environment?
In a world where technology is advancing at a rapid pace, it's hard to resist the temptation to buy the latest and greatest smartphone. But what about all the old smartphones that become obsolete as a result? There is a solution to this problem: refurbished smartphones. A refurbished smartphone does not have to be manufactured again. In addition, refurbishing gives the smartphone a new life and means it doesn't end up as electronic waste.
Environmental Benefits of Refurbished Smartphones
A major advantage of refurbished cell phones is that the step of mining rare earths and metals such as cobalt, gold and palladium is eliminated during production. Not only are these materials expensive, but the mining process of these finite resources is harmful to the environment. In addition, cobalt, for example, is largely mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where working conditions are poor and human rights are violated. Buying a refurbished iPhone reduces the need to mine additional raw materials.
Another important benefit of refurbished smartphones is the fight against e-waste. In 2022, according to the International Waste Electrical And Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Forum, approximately 5.3 billion smartphones were thrown away, resulting in an immense amount of electronic waste. It also prevents the valuable raw materials contained in smartphones from being recycled. By purchasing a refurbished used smartphone, you can help reduce the amount of e-waste and protect the environment.
Another important factor is the carbon footprint. Refurbished smartphones have a positive impact on the CO2 emissions emitted, as they avoid the emissions that occur when manufacturing a new smartphone. According to the United Nations Environmental Programme, buying a refurbished smartphone can save at least 48 kg of CO2.
Cheap smartphones: The price advantage of refurbished products
In addition to the environmental benefits, the financial benefits of buying refurbished smartphones are crucial for consumers. Refurbished iPhones are often much cheaper than completely new devices and offer the same quality compared to new models. This way you can save money and at the same time help protect the environment. So why not buy a used phone?
Overall, buying refurbished smartphones offers many advantages for the buyer and the environment. By reducing e-waste, reducing the extraction of raw materials and saving CO2 emissions, refurbished cell phones make an important contribution to protecting the environment. At the same time, they offer a cost-effective way to stay up to date with the latest technology.
So on Earth Day today, we should all ask ourselves: Is it really necessary to own the latest iPhone? Is an iPhone 13 good enough and doesn't it meet our needs just as well as a new device? A quick look and a comparison of the specifications show the difference between the iPhone 13 and 14: the same processor is used. So the answer is clear: a refurbished iPhone of the last generation is sufficient - and may even make a contribution to protecting the environment.
