Making a Case for Buying Refurbished – A Guide to living sustainably

Most people are already aware of pollution’s environmental impact on us but do not know where to begin to go green. Starting from choosing a responsible smartphone company is a great way to go green; moreover, choosing a second hand device, like buying a used phone, can put you on the right track. 

In addition to getting the same device for a better price than if you were to buy it new, purchasing used devices is the intelligent choice for all consumers. You can also be sure that you are doing your part for the environment by preventing a device from ending up in a landfill. Furthermore, buying refurbished or used phones helps reduce the demand for new phone production, by reducing the need for new cell phone production, we can also reduce e-waste, greenhouse gases, water waste, and our carbon footprints, to name a few benefits.

At Revibe, we want to assist the user’s transition from a wasteful and linear method of technology consumption to a more sustainable one, through refurbishment.

While choosing a phone the consumer usually considers raw performance, design, camera, and costs, etc, However, one aspect often overlooked and should be at the forefront of such a polluting industry. It is whether the mobile phone company is sustainable or it has an environmental impact and a commitment to environmental responsibility.

The poor working conditions, the depletion of vital natural resources, and the release of hazardous substances into the environment are all a result of the production of smartphones. Unfortunately, even as consumers become more environmentally conscious, it can be challenging to determine which brands are doing this.

The Green Smart Phone Brands Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics, published in 2017, provides some insights. According to the reports, Apple and Fair Phone are the most responsible or Greenest Companies.  Apple has made its environmental efforts publicly available in its Sustainability Reports, which typically include data on the material composition of the latest iPhones (the proportion of recycled materials included), CO2 emissions, water, and rare-earth consumption, and more. These efforts include energy consumption from increasingly renewable energy sources and compliance with the RoHS Directive, which aims to reduce the number of hazardous substances in electronic equipment. Furthermore, Apple’s foundries are now nearly 100% conflict-free due to their certification. According to The Ethical Company Organisation’s ranking of smartphone manufacturers, Blackberry and Nokia are also among the leaders in respecting the environment and human rights. Blackberry has a very impressive score, placing it just behind Fairphone.

You got it: Buying refurbished devices is not only more sustainable but also makes sustainable brands like Apple more accessible – up to 60% cheaper

There is still hope if people make informed decisions and start buying consciously.

Buying second-hand tech like used phones or laptops is a win-win situation for the user and the environment.

AT REVIBE, WE BELIEVE DEVICES DON’T HAVE TO BE NEW TO FEEL NEW.