There is no doubt that technology, especially smartphones, has positively transformed the lives of millions, if not billions, worldwide. It has permanently changed daily life, from the way we communicate to how we work; however, the negative impact the industry has on the environment cannot be denied.
The adverse effect the technology industry has on the environment is multifaceted. The production and supply of electronic devices lead to the consumption of natural resources, the generation of electronic waste (e-waste), greenhouse gas emissions, and pollution of air and water.
The industry’s massive energy consumption and associated habitat destruction, such as deforestation, make it one of the leading contributors to climate change. In particular, the smartphone industry is notorious for its environmental impact due to the annual model cycle.
Data show that worldwide, approximately 40 million tonnes of electronic waste are generated every year. Out of all this waste, only 12.5% is recycled. The rest is sent to landfills and/or incinerated, releasing harmful toxins into the air.
Statistics also reveal that only 1% of Australians recycle their old mobile phones, despite the average person replacing their phone every 18 months. This article explores the environmental impact and how refurbished phones can help mitigate the damage.
The Environmental Impact of the Smartphone Industry
In Australia, approximately 23 million mobile phones are discarded every year and end up in landfills. Back in 2022, the International Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) forum reported that if people didn’t properly recycle their phones, around 5.3 billion of them would end up in landfills as e-waste by the end of the year.
Electronic waste isn’t the only way the smartphone industry impacts the environment. The environmental impact of the mobile phone industry starts even before the manufacturing process, during resource extraction.
Smartphones require various rare materials and metals, which must be mined from the earth. This process can damage the surrounding environment and lead to issues such as habitat destruction and water or soil pollution.
The smartphone industry results in a massive carbon footprint, with the resource extraction and manufacturing process accounting for 85% of it. The emissions throughout the whole process, including shipping and production, are devastating to the environment.
How Much Damage Does A Discarded Phone Cause
Electronic devices, including smartphones, must be properly recycled as they pose a serious environmental threat. When an electronic device is just left sitting in a landfill, toxic chemicals like arsenic, lead, and mercury leach out of the devices and contaminate the soil and water tables.
It’s also become a common practice for electronic waste, including smartphones, to be incinerated for space efficiency. This process can release toxic chemicals into the atmosphere, which not only impact the environment but also pose serious health issues for humans and animals.
Studies have found that incinerating plastic waste can lead to lung and heart diseases due to air pollutants such as particulate matter. They’ve also found that incinerating heavy metals like mercury or lead can cause neurological diseases. Smartphones feature both of these materials.
Research has found that proximity to waste incineration, including that from phones, may increase the risk of cancer, birth defects, and other adverse health impacts. This is because chemicals and pollutants can contaminate nearby air, water, and food supplies, and then enter people’s bodies.
The Sustainability of Refurbished Phones
Despite the concerning statistics, it isn’t all doom and gloom when it comes to technology and the environment. There has been growing awareness of more sustainable business practices, especially in the technology sector. This includes buying second-hand and promoting proper recycling measures.
In particular, the refurbished smartphone market is helping reduce the industry's environmental impact. Choosing a refurbished phone is sustainable for multiple reasons, including:
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It prolongs device lifespan. So many phones are discarded prematurely when they could still be used for another few years with some minor refurbishment or repairs.
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Refurbished phones also reduce the need for extracting raw materials. Manufacturing a new smartphone requires mining for rare minerals, so choosing a refurbished one means you’re avoiding this process and also reducing the overall demand that causes it.
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Participating in the refurbished smartphone market also helps minimise landfill overflow. It also reduces the amount of dangerous materials contaminating the surrounding ecosystem.
Producing a single smartphone generates 60kg of CO2 emissions. By buying refurbished, you’re reducing the overall demand for new smartphones and avoiding the release of harmful CO2 emissions. Refurbished smartphones are the eco-friendly, sustainable choice. Also, if you actively recycle your old phones, this helps contribute to the conservation of resources. Many phones can find a second life with a new owner, reducing the demand for resource extraction.
Similarly, if a phone is properly recycled, the rare materials (like metal) can be reused in the production of a new device, again, avoiding resource extraction. This then leads to minimising the associated environmental degradation and resource depletion.
By participating in the refurbished phone market, whether you’re buying a refurbished device or recycling one to be reused, you’re participating in a ‘circular economy’. This is an economic model that is growing in popularity and is designed to minimise waste and promote the continual use of resources.
Learning about circular economies is important in understanding the role the refurbished market plays in the smartphone industry and its impact on the environment. Where a normal, linear economy model has products being made, used and then discarded, the circular economy focuses on reusing, recycling, and remanufacturing products.
The refurbished smartphone market
Statistics show shoppers are becoming more environmentally conscious. More people are prioritising environmental concerns when making purchasing decisions, which has led to the growth of the second-hand (and refurbished) phone market.
The global used and refurbished phone market size was valued at USD 53.91 billion and is only expected to grow over the next decade. Experts estimate that the market could reach USD 120.96 billion by 2030.
Practising sustainability and contributing to a circular economy isn’t the only reason for the growth in the refurbished phone market. With the rising prices of technology and annual model cycles, it can get extremely expensive if you’re upgrading to a brand-new device every 1-2 years.
Refurbished phones are a cost-effective solution for people who want the latest technology at a lower cost. The money you save on a refurbished phone can also then be put towards accessories and/or software.
Buy The Latest Refurbished Phones at OzMobiles
OzMobiles is a refurbished phone retailer that is committed to sustainability. Our mission is to provide Australians with a greener way to buy cutting-edge technology, whilst also contributing to a circular economy.
When you shop with us, you’re choosing a business that believes in reducing, reusing, and recycling technology for a greener world. We have a goal of keeping smart devices out of landfills, cutting down electronic waste, and educating people on more sustainable shopping practices.
All the devices we sell are also sourced by us, from other Australians. So, you have a guarantee that our supply chain will have a minimal impact on the Earth. We’ve also spent a lot of time ensuring that our packaging is 100% sustainable, and we offer local pickup where possible to reduce carbon emissions.
So, if you want the best deals on the latest refurbished phones, go green with OzMobiles today. All our devices also come with a free 12-month warranty and a 30-day risk-free return period. If you have any concerns or change of mind, you can reach out to us for support.
If you have any questions about our refurbished phones or sustainability practices, contact us today. The OzMobiles team would love to hear from you.
