Choosing the sustainable WEEE gift this Christmas!
By Joe Foley
Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) such as smartphones, kindles or laptops can be popular gift choices for Christmas but can have negative impacts on the environment and contribute to one of the fastest growing waste streams globally.
However, options such as refurbished electronic devices and trade-in schemes can reduce the environmental impact of e-waste and often be less expensive than new devices.
E-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world with an increase from 62 billion kg EEE placed on the market in 2010 increasing to 96 billion kg in 2022, with e-waste generated annually from 34 billion kg to 62 billion kg in the same period.
Similarly WEEE is a significant waste issue with the EU despite a substantial legal framework; in 2022 14.4 million tonnes placed on the market and only 5 million tonnes of which was being collected.
There has been an 80% growth in the amount of EEE placed on the market in the EU since 2015 generating significant amounts of waste.
What is refurbishment?
Refurbishment is the process by which a device is restored or renovated to a like-new condition improving the functionality and hardware of the device and extending the life cycle of the device. This is an alternative to purchasing a new electronic device and extends the life-cycle of the device reducing the amount of waste generated and environmental impact of consuming resources manufacturing new products while maintaining the user quality of the device. The value of these electronic products are lost when old devices such as smartphones or large electronic equipment are discarded, recycling devices for refurbishment retains the value of the product reducing the amount of e-waste generated.
Environmental Impact of refurbished EEE.
Shorter lifespans of devices such as smartphones have a greater impact on the environment leading to accelerated material extraction, increasing energy use and increasing the amount of waste generated. Choosing a refurbished smartphone extends the lifespan of the device, lowering the impact on new material extraction and extending the value of the materials within the smartphone. Another report by the French environment and energy management agency found that a single refurbished smartphone produces 11 times less carbon emissions and saves 261.3 kg of raw materials compared to a brand new smartphone.
Misconceptions and refurbished EEE providers in Ireland.
One misconception is that refurbished products are not as good as new products, however refurbishment is different from purchasing a used product in that parts of the device are repaired or replaced to restore the performance and functionality of the device. Refurbished products often come with warranties or have been quality tested to ensure high performance, this ensures high user performance while extending the life span of the device. For instance, Apple offers refurbished products which are certified Apple refurbished products that undergo a full functional test ensuring a high performance and functional operation of the refurbished device.
Refurbed is one of the largest sellers of refurbished WEEE in Ireland, selling all kinds of WEEE devices such as smartphones, TVs, smart watches and more. There are also consumer protection benefits offered when purchasing from Refurbed, such as free delivery, a 12 month warranty and even a 30 days free trial when you purchase a device from Refurb. Other sites include Apple, Swappie, BlackMarket offer benefits such as discounts, trade-in options and the majority offer 12 month warranties giving you peace of mind if anything goes wrong with your device.
Along with refurbishment, trading-in your old devices can also be a more environmentally friendly option, this can allow you to purchase a new device or a refurbished device for a more affordable price. A study found that 13% households hoard WEEE, trading in your old electronic devices in trade-in schemes can allow you to purchase new devices at a discount while ensuring that WEEE waste is being collected correctly, reducing the possibility of environmental damage from e-waste ending up in the wrong waste stream. Companies such as Samsung and Vodafone offer trade in options for your old smartphone and in return get exclusive offers, discounts or receive the trade in value paid into your bank account.
Choosing to purchase a refurbished EEE instead of a new device can have significant environmental benefits as well as providing for a great Christmas gift this year.
READ MORE ABOUT WEEE WASTE AND EUROPEAN WEEK FOR WASTE REDUCTION
