5 Ways To Reduce Your Electronic Waste; And The Companies That Help You Do It (2022)

Electronic waste is the world’s fastest growing waste stream. Thankfully when it comes to reducing your electronic waste, you are not alone!

Whether you’re shopping for a new smartphone, or looking for ways to extend the lifespan of your devices, these 5 companies have got your back:

1. iFixit

If it’s broken, fix it! 

iFixit offers step-by-step guides to help you fix your broken gadgets instead of shelling out for a new one and adding to the e-waste problem.

They also have an Answers forum where you can search discussions for similar repairs their members have made in the past, or you can start a new one. They even sell parts and tools for you to use in your repairs that have been rigorously tested by their team. 

All with the aim of helping keep that phone in your pocket a little longer, and e-waste out of landfills.

2. Back Market

Building trust for refurbished devices. 

Back Market have been making a splash in the world of refurbished devices for quite some time now. Founded six years ago in Paris, Back Market is the world's first online marketplace dedicated to refurbished consumer electronics. Available in 16 countries including the US and Japan. 

Shoppers can get like-new devices for up to 70% off the original price. Better for the environment and better for your wallet.

Listings include a transparent grading system and every device is guaranteed to be 100% functional regardless of its grade: Fair, Good, or Excellent. 

3. UL ECOLOGO® Certification

Shop certified brands and products.

Why not make a difference from the very start and only shop products with a UL ECOLOGO® Certification. UL ensures conscientious consumers that what they are buying has reduced environmental impact, be it products, services, or even packaging. 

4. Closing The Loop

A first step towards greener devices.

Having recently closed a deal with Vodafone to help bring old phones back into circulation, Closing The Loop is pioneering the one-for-one model for mobile devices. For every new device sold Vodafone will bring an old device back into circulation. 

And if you’re a business owner, through their compensation services they can also help businesses make electronics such as phones and laptops ‘waste-neutral’.

5. ChargedUp

Rent don’t buy!

ChargedUp is Europe’s largest power bank rental business which supplies rentable power banks for charging phones through its handy network of mobile charging stations in cafes, bars, and restaurants dotted around Europe. 

And best yet the service is powered by renewable energy like solar and wind. To offset the power consumed by the packs, ChargedUp buys renewable certificates from green power generation sites around the UK.

The problem with e-waste

In 2019 there was 53.6 million tons of e-waste. Only 17.4% of e-waste is collected and recycled. The rest ends up in landfills.

We need to make these devices last as long as possible so that they need to be replaced less frequently and we need to properly repurpose/recycle them when they come to end-of-life.

Here at ARROE we’re also working hard to help you reduce your e-waste. 

Download the ARROE app today (iOS/Android) and double the battery lifespan of your devices with Optimised Charging. 

Healthier batteries for a healthier planet!