Fixed for the Holidays – Refurbished Technology Factsheet

As the Holiday shopping season is kicking off, consumers are concerned about rising prices. The good news is it’s actually cheaper to shop used and refurbished electronics, which is also a greener option. Learn the facts.

We can’t keep making and tossing phones at the current rate:

Hippopx | Public Domain
The production of smartphones produces carbon pollution equivalent to the Philippines, a country with a population of 100 million people.

Buying refurbished or used phones protects the environment:

Photo by Staff | TPIN

More customers are opting for refurbished phones

New smartphone impact Refurbished smartphone impact Damage avoided
CO2 emitted 56 kg 11 kg 45 kg saved on average
Raw materials used 44 kg 4-10 kg 34-40 kg saved
Table by Back Market.
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Topics
Authors

Lucas Gutterman

Director, Designed to Last Campaign, U.S. PIRG Education Fund

Lucas leads PIRG’s Designed to Last campaign, fighting against obsolescence and e-waste and winning concrete policy changes that extend electronic consumer product lifespans and hold manufacturers accountable for forcing upgrades or disposal.

Nathan Proctor

Senior Director, Campaign for the Right to Repair, U.S. PIRG Education Fund

Nathan leads U.S. PIRG’s Right to Repair campaign, working to pass legislation that will prevent companies from blocking consumers’ ability to fix their own electronics. Nathan lives in Arlington, Massachusetts, with his wife and two children.