Are Refurbished iPhones Environmentally Friendly?
Refurbished iPhones Environmentally Friendly
With smartphones becoming increasingly sophisticated and multi-functional, it’s important to think about the impact of our digital technology on the environment. The truth is that many consumers are still upgrading their phones far more frequently than they need to – which can lead to an excessive amount of waste.
The good news is that more people are starting to question the need for the latest iPhone models, and many are turning to refurbished mobiles for their next upgrade. By doing so, you can enjoy the same operating system and novel features for less while reducing your own environmental impact.
In fact, it’s estimated that by choosing a refurbished mobiles, you can save up to 90% of the environmental impact of purchasing a new one. This is because the manufacturing phase of a phone is responsible for up to three quarters of its overall environmental impact, and when you buy a refurbished handset instead, you are avoiding this stage altogether.
Are Refurbished iPhones Environmentally Friendly?
What’s more, by opting for a refurbished mobile you are helping to reduce the vast amounts of electronic waste that end up in landfill sites around the world. This e-waste is often loaded with heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury and cadmium, which can leak into the soil and water supply and harm vegetation and wildlife.
The best way to avoid this is by purchasing a refurbished handset – which can be found on platforms like Back Market – and you can help to cut down on this E-waste by promoting the concept amongst your customers. In addition, you could also encourage them to limit their usage by using Wi-Fi when possible and only downloading apps that they really need.
Another positive aspect of refurbished phones is that they conserve valuable resources such as metals, plastics and rare earth minerals. This is because the process of repurposing a used device is much more environmentally friendly than extracting raw materials from the ground, which is what is required to produce a brand new one.
Beyond the financial benefits, purchasing refurbished mobiles contributes to sustainability efforts by extending the lifespan of electronic devices. By diverting smartphones from landfills and reducing the demand for new production, refurbished devices help conserve finite resources and minimize environmental impact. Additionally, refurbishment processes typically involve recycling components and reducing electronic waste, aligning with the principles of the circular economy.
Refurbished devices can also reduce the need for new devices by extending their lifespans through repairs and software updates. This helps to curb the culture of disposability, which is responsible for excess e-waste and can contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. This accessibility makes high-end smartphones more attainable for budget-conscious individuals or those who prefer not to commit to lengthy contracts with mobile carriers. Furthermore, refurbished mobiles often come unlocked, allowing users the flexibility to choose their preferred network provider.
In addition, refurbished devices have a significantly smaller carbon footprint than their brand-new counterparts, thanks to a more efficient manufacturing and shipping process. In fact, it’s estimated that a refurbished device has up to 3 times less impact than a new mobile.