Is refurbished really more sustainable?
Refurbished can reduce the environmental impact of electronics, but only when the device stays useful, the refurbishment process is transparent and you compare with today's alternatives.
Refurbished can reduce the environmental impact of electronics, but only when the device stays useful, the refurbishment process is transparent and you compare with today's alternatives.
When refurbished saves resources
A refurbished device that replaces a new purchase can avoid the raw materials, energy and water needed to manufacture a replacement. The saving is largest when the product is kept in use for several more years and would otherwise have been replaced by a new model.
The benefit is not automatic. A device that fails quickly, needs frequent repairs or is shipped back and forth unnecessarily can erase part of the gain. The same applies when the price difference with new is so small that the older product offers little extra useful life.
What the research says
Life-cycle studies of electronics generally show that the manufacturing phase dominates the environmental footprint of phones, laptops, tablets and cameras. Extending the use phase therefore has potential, but the exact saving depends on the product type, how much longer the refurbished device actually lasts, transport and refurbishment energy use, and what the realistic alternative purchase would have been.
No universal figure fits every device. Claims such as a fixed kilogram of CO₂ per phone can be misleading because they ignore product age, efficiency and user behaviour.
How to make a sustainable refurbished choice
- Buy a device with enough performance and battery health for your intended use period.
- Prefer sellers who publish condition checks, warranty terms and repair options.
- Compare the refurbished price with the current new price, not the original launch price.
- Keep the device longer: use a case, replace the battery when needed, and install software updates while they are available.
- Recycle or pass on the device responsibly when it no longer meets your needs.
When new may be the greener option
New can be better when a generation jump greatly improves energy efficiency, the refurbished device has a heavily degraded battery, spare parts are unavailable, or the price gap is too small to justify the older hardware.
Read more
More guidance for your next refurbished purchase.
Sustainability labels and refurbished certifications explained
Energy Star, EPEAT, TCO Certified, Blue Angel and refurbished programmes each tell you something different. Here is what they actually mean and where they fall short.
How to make your refurbished device last longer
The most sustainable device is the one you keep in use. Simple habits around charging, cleaning, updates and repairs can add years to a refurbished phone, laptop or tablet.
Why Buy Refurbished?
Refurbished can offer better value and extend a product's useful life, but only when price, condition, support and seller all make sense.