How Our Phones Reflect Our Planet: What 10,000 People Told Us About Tech and Climate

A Shared Concern—With Local Nuances

Across all five countries, a strong majority of respondents said they feel concerned about climate change. In France, the concern was nearly universal (90%), with similarly high levels in Germany (86%), Spain (84%), the UK (85%) and the US (80%). In Germany and France, more respondents identified the manufacturing stage as the most environmentally damaging part of a device’s life—59% and 51% respectively—while only 33% in the US recognized this. Understanding the tech lifecycle is one part of the sustainability puzzle, but not a direct measure of climate action itself.

Keeping Devices Longer—But Not Always by Design

Most respondents report using their smartphones for more than three years before replacing them. France (87%), Spain (86%), and the UK (85%) lead this trend, with the US and Germany close behind.

However, this longevity may not be by design. Many replaced their last smartphone because it stopped working (up to 56% in Spain), not because they were intentionally trying to reduce waste.

According to Back Market's 2024 Impact Report, more than 70% of devices returned to refurbishers still function technically but are discarded due to surface-level issues like scratches or outdated software compatibility.

Keeping an iPhone 13 for 5 years instead of 2.5 years with a battery replacement cuts its annual carbon emissions by 49% which could prevent 15.6 million tons of CO2 per year*.

*Scenario calculation based on the carbon footprint of manufacturing from Apple Product Environmental Reports; refurbishment emissions from ADEME study; repair emissions from the Life Cycle Assessment of the Fairphone 5; and CO₂-to-household energy consumption conversion from the U.S. EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator and the number of smartphones sold in 2023

The Repair Question: A Willingness Without the Tools

More than 80% of consumers across countries have considered repairing a device, but only around half have actually tried to do so themselves. Germany leads with 54%, while others like Spain and the UK lag behind. Many consumers don’t feel confident enough to repair, citing lack of skill and know-how. At the same time, only about one-third of respondents have heard of the Right to Repair movement, which advocates for access to spare parts and repair manuals.

Back Market, alongside partners like iFixit, actively supports the Right to Repair movement through advocacy, legislation, and consumer education—helping make repair a more accessible and realistic option. And when repair isn't possible, choosing a refurbished device instead of buying new can save up to 80 kg of CO₂ emissions, while significantly reducing the demand for raw materials like lithium and cobalt.

Where Do Old Devices Go?

Many assume their tech ends up in a drawer, and they are not wrong. In Germany, 50% of respondents believe their old devices go unused but are kept. France and the UK follow closely with 41% and 37% respectively. According to the WEEE Forum, of the 16 billion mobile phones possessed worldwide, 5.3 billion were expected to become waste in 2022, with billions hoarded in drawers and cupboards or thrown away rather than recycled. Yet the bigger picture is more alarming. Globally, only 22.3% of e-waste is properly collected and recycled, according to UNITAR (2024). This means the vast majority of tech waste either: - ends up in landfills, leaking toxic substances, - is illegally exported to developing countries, - or sits in homes indefinitely, representing a growing mass of hibernated e-waste. Buying refurbished, trading in devices, and participating in take-back programs can drastically reduce this footprint. Refurbished tech produces up to 89% less e-waste and uses 91% fewer raw materials than new devices.

A Future Worth Repairing

This survey shows a rising global awareness of tech’s environmental impact, but also highlights key gaps in knowledge, motivation, and accessibility. Most consumers want to do the right thing, but they need support to make sustainable choices. As we navigate the era of fast tech, one message is clear: holding onto your phone for one more year, repairing instead of replacing, or choosing a refurbished option isn’t just good for your wallet. It might just be one of the simplest ways to help the planet.

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Methodology

The Earth Month 2025 Fast Tech Survey was conducted in March 2025 by Back Market using Typeform. The survey was distributed to Back Market customers in five countries: France, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Each country had nearly 2,000 respondents, totaling nearly 10,000 participants across all regions. The questionnaire consisted of 17 standardized questions designed to evaluate consumer attitudes toward climate change, tech ownership habits, device lifecycles, e-waste perceptions, and repair behavior. Questions were localized and translated to ensure consistency and accuracy in each region. Data was analyzed internally by the Back Market Global PR and Insights teams. Comparative insights were drawn from harmonized English versions of the survey and include a mix of raw percentages, rankings, and inferred behavioral patterns. Where applicable, additional context and environmental data were referenced from Back Market's 2024 Impact Report and ADEME (Agence de la Transition Écologique).