Last updated on December 17th, 2023 at 09:38 pm
We find ourselves looking to buy a new phone about once every couple of years and a new computer perhaps once every five years (that’s been my frequency anyway). At such times, if you’ve done your Googling, you will face two options: to buy new or refurbished. We all like brand new stuff (we like ’em so much). But, hear me out for a second. What if you could get the very same experience from refurbished electronics for a host of additional benefits?
Let’s find out.
The Environmental Impact of Electronic Products
Laptop batteries contain lead, cadmium and sulphuric acid. Circuit boards have beryllium in them. Plastic parts have bromine. So the environmental impact of laptops is significant.
Mobile phones contains cobalt, gold, silver, palladium, tin and other minerals. These materials aren’t magically procured through damage-free processes; Massive amounts energy (for processing) is needed to create useable versions of these materials.
Here’s the thing. Laptops and phones are awesome…for us. And they don’t really harm us when we use them (apart from affecting our eyesight, health, mood, social status and stuff). But the minerals contained in them cause tremendous damage to the environment – both, during the mining and manufacturing stages, and after we’re done with them, when they’re discarded.
The damage caused isn’t minor. Damage includes land and agricultural degradation, heavy metal pollution of water, soil and air. Not to forget the impacts on the local communities. We had covered some of it in the post about ethical jewelry and conflict minerals.
“Ah, I have only one phone,” you may say. “And one computer.” But how many have you had in your life? All your old phones, computers and other sundry electronic items still exist today in some form in the world, and their minerals continue to pollute our air and water and soil to this day.
Electronic products are widespread, to put it mildly. Over 120 pounds of raw materials go into the manufacture of just one mobile phone. There are more active mobile phones in the world currently than there are people. Just imagine the environmental impacts of all of them. Think about your apartment electric bill, and the devices that cause the bill to spike.
All of this is to say that the most sustainable electronic items are either the ones someone already owns (i.e. you buy secondhand stuff) or ones that have already been manufactured but are “unwanted” (i.e. refurbished stuff)! Manufacturing a new electronic product has far more environmental impact than using it.
Let’s look at refurbished stuff. Is it good to buy a refurbished phone? Or laptop?
First, what the heck is “refurbished”?
What Are Refurbished Electronics?
What does it mean when electronics are refurbished? Refurbished computers and phones are items returned by buyers shortly after delivery – for whatever reason, whether it’s got a scratch on the paint, it’s or the buyer simply changed their mind. These computers and phones are spruced up by the manufacturer. And – this is important – they have the same guarantees that new computers and phones do. So refurbished does not mean secondhand, since they have not been used at all.
Now, next question: Are refurbished electronics good? Is it OK to buy refurbished?
The percentage of returned electronics that are actually defective is 5%. Some returned products have not even been removed from the original packaging by the buyer. And in case there is a defect, companies inspect, repair, and repackage the item (or have an authorized repair center do it for them) for before putting it on sale again. They may also use recycled electronics for parts.
So, yes. It makes a lot of sense to buy refurbished. Still need convincing?
5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Refurbished Electronics
1 // You reduce your environmental impact
This is a no-brainer for me, but I understand it may not be as important a factor for you. But you still need to know this: An important benefit of buying a refurbished product is the positive environmental impact. Remember, these are essentially “discarded” items – that are perfectly functional. By buying these, you reduce the demand for brand new (“perfect looking”) phones and computers.
Secondly, and consequently, it reduces the amount of electronic waste that’s going out into the environment as electronic waste. By buying a refurbished phone, for instance, you create 80% less waste than if you buy a “new” one.
You may not think this is a big deal, but remember how many phones there are in the world? (There are 4.8 billion mobile phones in the world as of 2020). And how many are being made and sold on a daily basis? It’s a big problem, and you can actually help (and inch towards a zero waste life) by buying refurbished electronic products. In fact, buying refurbished laptops is an important part of living a zero waste lifestyle.
2 // You save money on the price
This one’s something everyone will appreciate: Cost savings. I bought my refurbished iPhone 7plus for $380. You often see savings of between 30-50% for mobile phones and 10-25% on computers, when compared to the exact same product with a “new” label.
3 // You already know the reviews
Refurbished products roll out a bit later than the brand new models (obviously, since these are items that have gone to someone who rejected them and sent them back). This means you aren’t part of the very first wave of users and know well the pros and cons of this model you’re eyeing. Being first is not worth the cost.
4 // There’s no difference once you’ve bought it
Many refurbished products have the same guarantee and warranty as brand new items (read the fine print to ensure yours does), all refurbished products get the same customer service as new ones and usually free upgrades to the latest software and OS (depending on the model and specs).
5 // You stick it to the corporations and the consumer culture
Is this a real reason? Well, only perhaps as a feel-good factor. When companies are controlling when, why and how we buy their products, when they’re encouraging you to buy, buy, buy, when they’re causing immeasurable damage because of planned obsolescence, it sure does feel good to do something that they don’t expect you to do. This may be a very small act of resistance in the grand scheme of things, but it is an important one. It represents a change in how we view things, what we consider to be “essential”, and how we choose to participate in the economy.
I hope you’re convinced! Ready to go for the refurbished product? Then you need to know:
How to Choose Your Refurbished Electronic Product
Apart from the technical specifications, which vary from person to person, look for these specs when shopping for a refurbished item:
Return Policy
Some companies offer 14-day return periods, while others don’t allow returns. If you’re buying it online, please opt for something that has a reasonable return period. It just makes sense.
Brand Name
Make sure you’re buying from a recognized brand like Apple or one of their authorized resellers. Buy refurbished products only from reputable brands.
Warranties
Look for a good warranty of six months or more. Read the fine print, and make sure you’re covered when it comes to the warranties. And also add in some insurance if you need it.
What Refurbished Electronic Products Do I Have?
I have a refurbished iMac desktop that I absolutely LOVE. I also have a refurbished rose gold iPhone 7plus that I also LOVE. It’s gorgeous, it’s my first new phone in three years, and it works perfectly well. Sure, it isn’t the latest model, but it does all I need it to do and more.
I bought the iMac refurbished on Amazon. And the iPhone from the Apple website. I treat both of them very well (although, funny story: my cat knocked my Mac off the desk and while my heart legit stopped, the computer miraculously did not die. It had cracks in one corner, but I taped it up and it works perfectly fine. PHEW). So I don’t expect to have to replace them for a long while. (I usually utilize my mobile phones until they literally stop working and basically just turn into paper weights.)
Why did I choose Apple refurbished? From my research, I have come to believe that Apple’s refurbished products are the best. I’d never looked at Apple products seriously before, because I could not really afford them and was very unwilling to spend so much on a single electronic item. But for me, the environmental impact of buying refurbished, combined with the sudden affordability of products that I couldn’t afford before, sealed the deal.
I haven’t regretted it; in fact, I fully endorse it.
Best Sites to Buy Refurbished Electronics and Gadgets
I bought my refurbished iMac desktop off of Amazon. I was new to the concept, and didn’t do much research. When I subsequently bought my refurbished iPhone 7plus, I got it off the Apple website. Listed below are some of the best sites to buy refurbished electronics:
1 // Back Market
I would also look at Back Market, a marketplace that “fights against planned obsolescence.” Awesome goal. It’s a concept I wholeheartedly support, and I hope the entire world wakes up to. There need to be more companies like Back Market, which is doing quite well. Refurbishment used to be a fragmented industry, and Back Market is aggregating demand and supply on a single platform. Listen to the CEO explain it in his own words (in French!):
Also, Back Market is the only US marketplace that sells Apple-certified gear, including the same Apple warranty as buying direct. Back Market is present in the US, UK and parts of the EU.
2 // Smarter
Another option for refurbished electronic gadgets is Smarter, who sell “lightly-used smart devices.” Check them out if you’re in the market for a refurbished smart device.
3 // Swappa
Swappa is a refurbished website where you can “swap” used electronics. It’s basically a marketplace where various sellers are selling refurbished devices. They also offer PayPal protection to make your purchase safer.
4 // Swappie
Swappie is a European brand. They have a selection of refurbished iPhones that work “like brand new but with smarter prices.”
5 // Best Buy
Best Buy has a refurbished section on their website selling refurbished TVs, phones, PCs, and much more.
6 // Apple Refurbished
You can buy refurbished Apple products straight from their website, too.
7 // Amazon Renewed
This is a controversial choice, but buying refurbished from Amazon is a good idea, especially since they receive a huge number of returns (from customers who have changed their minds).
8 // RefurbMe
This is an aggregator of Apple products from various refurbished websites.
9 // SellCell
This is also an aggregator site, but of several electronics brands, not just Apple.
Buy refurbished!
Extend the lifespan of electronic products for as long as possible! Use them until they fall apart.
And PLEASE dispose of your old electronic items responsibly, through an authorized agency. Find out how to recycle lithium batteries. Old smart watches can also be recycled.
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THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE DETAILS.
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