Chances are your smartphone is important to you.
But it’s also very important to the big picture. All of your devices are.
What’s nuts is that we’re speeding up the process every time we buy new.
Companies are overmanufacturing more devices than we need.
Electronic waste is the fastest‑growing solid‑waste stream, exceeding fast fashion.
It's also the most toxic solid‑waste stream, contaminating land, water,
and air.
and air.
We don’t always need new electronics.
We need to walk away from mind control.
We need to walk away from mind control.
Planned
obsolescence
Definition
A business practice that deliberately ensures a current version of a given product will become outdated or useless within a known time period.
Example
Like when tech companies won't support hardware or software support beyond a certain number of years (even if they could if they wanted to).
Definition
A business practice that deliberately ensures a current version of a given product will become outdated or useless within a known time period.
Example
Like when tech companies won't support hardware or software support beyond a certain number of years (even if they could if they wanted to).
Perceived
obsolescence
Definition
When a company creates conditions meant to persuade consumers to replace a product while it continues to be functional.
Example
Like when a phone manufacturer consistently releases new models a year or less apart. This prematurely "ages" devices in the eyes of their owners when these devices could continue to function perfectly for years.
Definition
When a company creates conditions meant to persuade consumers to replace a product while it continues to be functional.
Example
Like when a phone manufacturer consistently releases new models a year or less apart. This prematurely "ages" devices in the eyes of their owners when these devices could continue to function perfectly for years.
Piling
on the pressure
Definition
High pressure sales tactics are techniques employed to manipulate and pressure consumers to make purchases they wouldn't make otherwise.
Example
Retailers and manufacturers that aggressively advertise Black Friday sales and additional discounts to pressure people to buy new electronics from them.
Definition
High pressure sales tactics are techniques employed to manipulate and pressure consumers to make purchases they wouldn't make otherwise.
Example
Retailers and manufacturers that aggressively advertise Black Friday sales and additional discounts to pressure people to buy new electronics from them.
We need to stop thinking that new is better.
It’s time to go circular.
But it’s not enough, especially when we’re buying and discarding new devices at a rate that can’t be properly recycled.
Why refurbished is the right choice 99.86983%* of the time.
As good as new (when done right)
Low impact on planet and wallet
Lowers carbon emissions
Are you ready to take action?
Ready for some action? Let us count the ways.
Reduce
Reduce e-waste by taking care of your electronics so that they last longer, and avoid the trap of feeling the need to buy new.
Repair
Don't replace if you can repair. Take your device to a repair shop or use resources like iFixit to DIY.
Reuse
Pass down, donate or sell your device. It probably has more life in it than you might think.
Recycle
Just remember, recycling should be a last resort.
