Secondary Market:
Repair and Reuse
Today’s consumer products are built on sophisticated technology and innovation that continues to rapidly evolve. While this has made devices such as smartphones and TVs ubiquitous around the world, the proliferation has led to a thriving secondary market of refurbished and used electronics. In 2018, one in five smartphones sold to Americans were used, with refurbished phones becoming a growing share of the market.
Reusing electronics isn’t just a cost-effective way to access the latest technology, it is also helping us reduce GHG emissions associated with manufacturing and promote a more circular relationship with our gadgets.
Apple
For example, iPhone pioneer Apple offers a network of more than 5,000 Apple Store locations and authorized service providers for repairs globally. Through Apple Trade In, the iPhone upgrade program and Apple Care, customers in 27 countries can trade in their devices either online or in-store. These products are either repaired, refurbished and resold, or recycled. In FY2018, Apple directed 7,860,000 devices to new users.
CExchange
Another electronics trade-in and recycling service CExchange is leading the charge with its members such as eBay, US Cellular, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Microsoft Stores, Wireless Advocates/Costco and Car Toys, among others. Their objective is to use buyback and returns management programs to collect as many electronic devices as possible for reuse by consumers. Devices that have reached the end of their useful life get responsibly recycled through R2-certified partners.
