In a world where technology evolves at breakneck speed, our drawers are overflowing with discarded devices while electronic waste piles up. Faced with this reality, refurbished products are emerging as a credible alternative. But beyond the economic argument, what is the true environmental impact of refurbished goods? Between misconceptions and scientific facts, let's delve into the figures that demonstrate why choosing a refurbished device is much more than just a smart purchase: it's a concrete commitment to the planet.
Manufacturing: where everything happens
When discussing the environmental impact of a smartphone, tablet, or computer, one fact stands out: 80% of greenhouse gas emissions originate during the production phase . It is during this stage that the ecological footprint is significantly increased, long before the device even reaches our hands.
Manufacturing a smartphone requires around fifty different metals: from iron and aluminum to precious metals like gold, silver, and palladium, as well as rare earth elements such as cobalt and nickel. Extracting these materials requires a considerable amount of energy, water, and chemicals, generating massive amounts of mining waste and air, water, and soil pollution in the process.
A new smartphone generates between 30 and 70 kg of CO2 equivalent over its entire lifecycle. This is precisely where refurbished devices make all the difference: by extending the lifespan of an existing device, we avoid this manufacturing phase, which is so costly for the environment.
The numbers speak for themselves: the real impact of refurbished goods
The ADEME data is unequivocal and allows for a precise quantification of the environmental benefits of refurbished products:
For a refurbished smartphone:
- Reduction of 64% to 87% in annual environmental impact compared to new
- Savings of 76.9 kg of raw materials per year of use
- Avoidance of 24.6 kg of greenhouse gas emissions per year
For a refurbished tablet:
- Reduction of 46% to 80% in annual impact
- Savings of 80 kg of raw materials
- Avoidance of 20 kg of greenhouse gas emissions per year
For a refurbished laptop:
- Reduction of 43% to 97% in annual impact
- Savings of 127 kg of raw materials
- Avoidance of 27 kg of greenhouse gas emissions per year
To put these figures into perspective: in 2020, with 2.8 million refurbished smartphones sold in France, it is estimated that this saved approximately 215,000 tons of raw materials and 69,000 tons of CO2 equivalent. This is equivalent to 206 million kilometers driven by car, or 5,150 times around the Earth!
Maximizing profits: best practices
While refurbished products offer undeniable environmental advantages, certain practices can maximize these benefits:
Choose a quality refurbisher
Not all refurbished products are created equal. Opt for professionals who perform a genuine refurbishment: data erasure, complete functionality check, replacement of defective parts, and above all, a warranty of at least 12 months.
Favor short supply chains
French refurbishers who source their parts locally naturally reduce their transport-related impact. Beyond the environmental aspect, this ensures greater transparency, better after-sales service, and helps create jobs within the country.
Keep your device for as long as possible
The true positive impact of refurbished phones is measured by their lifespan. Ideally, a phone should be used for at least three years during its initial life, and then for at least two years after refurbishment. To extend its lifespan, protect it with a case and screen protector, charge the battery between 20% and 80%, and avoid shocks and moisture.
Think about recycling at the end of life
When a device is no longer usable, recycling becomes essential. Even though only about ten of the fifty metals present in a smartphone are currently recycled (for technical and economic reasons), it is a crucial step to reduce pressure on primary resources.
Conclusion
Refurbished products are not just a trend or a marketing ploy: they represent a concrete and measurable response to the environmental challenges of our digital age. By bypassing the manufacturing phase, the most polluting stage in a device's lifecycle, refurbished products can reduce environmental impact by up to 87% while offering performance equivalent to that of a new device.
Choosing refurbished products means actively participating in the circular economy, reducing the extraction of raw materials, limiting greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting a local industry that creates jobs. In a context where digital technology represents a growing share of our ecological footprint, every little bit helps. And what if the most impactful action was simply giving existing devices a second life?