Getting connected to the circular economy

If you're buying a phone for yourself or a teen then consider opting for refurbished electronics — they're typically much cheaper and more sustainable

Pádraig Power, Refurbed marketing manager, and Gearóid McEvoy, Reforest Nation founder. Picture: Conor McCabe Photography

You can tell people about the environmental benefits of electronics recycling, you can show them the dire need for sustainability, and you can even sweeten the deal by planting a native tree for every device sold, but it can still be financial savings — the ‘what’s in it for me’ element — that get people over the line of buying a second-hand or refurbished device.

Pádraig Power, from west Limerick, is senior marketing manager of global operations at Refurbed, an online marketplace for refurbished goods which was founded in Austria in 2017 and set up here three years ago

Pádraig Power, marketing manager refurbed

Online stores such as these are steadily becoming the first port of call for people looking for a new phone or a device upgrade. Power says customers often come initially for the lower price compared to new when buying devices for their teenagers for example but become customers themselves when they see how beneficial second-hand can be for the environment: “We can’t constantly take from the planet, so if we can reuse or keep aspects of these devices alive as long as possible, then that’s a good thing.”

“Of course, there is a cost-of-living crisis ,so people are very glad to save up to 40% versus new products, but when you also take the environmental impact of constantly buying new devices that use non-renewable materials, then you can see why people are so conscious of the circular economy,” Mr Power notes.

CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB

• Every year 150 million smart phones, along with their batteries, are thrown away — creating significant e-waste
• More than 147 million kilos of CO₂ have been saved by customers opting for recycled devices at refurbed
• On average refurbed products save 73% e-waste, 80% CO₂ and 90% water vs new devices

And it’s not just mobile phones and smartwatches that people are buying second-hand. Mr Power said: “We just recently introduced sports equipment, so that’s e-bikes, ski and yoga equipment, and weights, and, last year, we expanded to include household appliances, such as coffee machines and vacuum cleaners, so that’s really having a positive impact, too.”

As well as directly reducing the number of brand-new electronic equipment we buy, refurbed boosts the environmental dividend by planting a tree for every device sold.

"We have partnered with tree-planting organisation Reforest Nation and have arranged for trees to be planted in 14 counties now — these are often in an arrangement with local government on derelict spots and they are always native trees," says Power.

A phone screen is professionally polished as part of the refurbishment process

As well as reducing the amount of new electronic equipment they buy, Refurbed boosts the environmental dividend by planting a tree for every device sold: “We have partnered with tree-planting organisation Reforest Nation and have arranged for trees to be planted in 14 counties now — these are often in an arrangement with local government on derelict spots and they are always native trees.

Some people will be reluctant to use anything second-hand, but all devices — including airpods — are rigorously cleaned and this involves them being physically sanitised as well as data-cleansed he says: “Technically, our products function exactly like new devices. They do not contain any data from previous customers and have a valid software licence and they also go for physical sanitation in clean rooms, and I get that someone who doesn’t know might be squeamish about something like airpods, but they are literally like new after all this.

Technicians at Tekeir, a consumer electronics company partnered with refurbed

As well as doing your bit for reducing environmental pollution, by opting for a second-hand device, there are also cost benefits in getting ‘old’ phones out of the junk drawer at home. Some of those chunky old pre-smartphone devices “were built to last”, Mr Power says, and may still be useful for spare parts if you take them to a shop such as CEX, which has more than 35 outlets across the country.

Refurbed doesn’t yet buy phones in Ireland, but Mr Power says: “If you have unused devices at home that are just going to be getting older, then consider gifting them to a family member or selling them. And even if they are so old that you feel they aren’t of use as a phone any more, then WEE Ireland can recycle them properly.”

Other refurbished or second-hand electronics companies include mintplus.ie, pairmobile, and swappie.com

From a financial or environmental point of view there is no point in hoarding old devices or equipment and that can be many people’s first step into engaging with the circular economy when they sell or donate these unwanted electrical goods.