Apr
Consider purchasing a certified pre-owned phone from a reputable sales dealership – do the green thing.
1.5 billion phones are sold each year, and the total number of phones that have been produced since they were introduced by Motorola and Nokia in the early 90’s is estimated to be over 18 billion (or 2.5 phones for every person on Earth). That’s a lot of phones. Unfortunately many of these phones end up in landfills – sometimes simply because they have a cracked screen or the battery needs to be replaced.
“The amount of worldwide e-waste generation is expected to be 49.8 million tons in 2018 with an annual 4-5 percent growth.” – thebalancesmb.com
This planet we call home needs our help. Landfills around the world are filling up with electronic waste (e-waste) and there are ever-expanding islands of plastic forming in the oceans. Each year approximately 50 million tons of electronics are discarded. And the problem is not going to go away on its own.
What can we do? We can used devices and recycled products to extend their life, we can have things repaired when possible, and when they cannot be repaired we can properly dispose of them. Almost all unwanted or discarded smartphones can be repaired to be reused or sold to a refurbisher for parts.
Barely 10% of [phones] get recycled and their precious components recovered and reused. – BBC.com
Mobile devices and other electronics contain potentially hazardous materials such as cadmium, mercury, and polyvinyl chlorides that can contaminate the soil and water—but they also contain precious metals. It is estimated that 11% of all gold mined annually ends up in the trash as e-waste. In addition to gold, your mobile device probably also contains some copper, silver and palladium (a precious metal used for making electronics, watches, and surgical instruments.) The worth of these materials can make even the most broken phone valuable.
On average a new smartphone will last for five plus years, and the average smartphone user will keep their phone for two years or less, which leaves several remaining years of potential use. By purchasing a pre-owned phone you can save money AND send a message to manufacturers that consumers want the right to repair their mobile device without being forced to buy a new one—especially when it could be repaired for a fraction of the cost.
“Companies that are designing and manufacturing our devices must take into account the significant impacts they are having on our planet and the increasing demand from the public to define innovation …” – Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics
There is a growing “Right to Repair” movement to encourage electronics and other manufactures to produce products that are repairable. Support the movement and celebrate Earth Day (April 22) – by purchasing a certified pre-owned cell phone, or having yours repaired to extend its life.
Still not sure if you should buy a certified pre-owned phone?
You may understand the potential environmental and human impact of phone and electronics manufacturing – but you still have reservations about buying a pre-owned phone. At BestMobileCanada – we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality products and top-quality services. And to ensure that you are an extremely satisfied customer:
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*All of our phones undergo a 28-point inspection to ensure that all components are functioning properly and that they meet our quality standards for certification;
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Our certified pre-owned phones come with a full hardware warranty – 30 days;
Shop now for an unlocked certified pre-owned Apple or Android mobile device.
