Are used iPhones better for the environment?
Apple products are super nice, but it’s somewhat sad how fast their turnover is. Many replace their iPhone every year with the newest model, and this makes Mother Earth cry :’( It’s a fact that producing new tech produces an enormous amount of pollution, not to mention the e-waste that is generated by throwing gadgets in the trash.
If we really want to be environmentally friendly, we need to foster a culture of reuse and recycling. This is one of the reasons we decided to create Back Market: to give people an eco-friendly way to buy their next used iPhone, Macbook, or other fancy tech gadget-thingy :D This way, we can still love our gadgets and the environment at the same time.
Buying used Apple products helps decrease waste in a variety of ways. First off, since you are minimizing the amount of new products that needs to be produced, you’re also decreasing the amount of pollution and mining that is required to produce the necessary components for the new device. Second, since you are buying a pre-owned iPhone, you’re saving it from ending up in landfill or from being improperly discarded. The more we reuse our devices, the less waste we will generate as a society. Same goes for a lot of the things we use.
If you want more specific numbers regarding electronic waste and the benefits of refurbished electronics, read what one of our founders wrote in this Forbes article titled "Refurbished is the Future" :)
If you look through our website, you’ll notice many small reminders about being eco-friendly. Under each product, you’ll see just how much waste you’re saving by buying the specific product, not to mention how much money you’ll save since you’re not buying the product directly from Apple. You can be sure all our products have been thoroughly tested and certified thanks to our meticulous refurbishing standards :D Nobody takes refurbished Apple products as seriously as we do.
Another interesting read from Forbes... did you know 59% of Americans prefer to upgrade to a new phone rather than repair the one they are currently using?
The kind of guy that likes technology a little too much and can't stop talking about it. Good thing I work at Back Market :D
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For every phone accessory sold, we donate at least $1 to PUR Project to help the village of Pejarakan manage and recycle its waste and revitalize their environment. The funds will allow PUR Project to continue the pilot program they started in Batu Ampar Banjar, a small section of Pejarakan.
The production and end-of-life disposal of our smartphones, computers and other modern tech have a dramatic impact on the environment, which can often be overlooked when compared to other environmental issues. Half of the carbon emissions from the digital sector (making up 4% of global emissions) come from the production of devices like these, and buying them refurbished, while not a perfect solution, can help to significantly limit their environmental impact. We’d like to tell you a little more about that.
Unless you act fast your ownership rights over your devices may soon be limited. Big tech companies are currently lobbying to restrict your ability to repair or modify electronic equipment—including things like your tablets, smartphones, laptops and more.
...and a whole lot of nothing. Oops, sweet nothings. To show you in some small way that we care, because we totally do.
Our goal is to create the highest standard of quality by monitoring, training and supporting our merchants, that we pick carefully.
Back Market works with EcoVadis to objectively assess the social, ethical, and environmental performance of its partner refurbishers.
Introducing the unsung heroes of the circular economy: our refurbishers.
Back Market works with social and solidarity-based companies, recognized for their positive impact on society and for their key role in the integration of people with disabilities or in precarious situations.