Phone Recycling Trends

GSMA survey indicates a third of consumers pass on used phones to friends and family often during Christmas, while 75% continue to store at least one old device. This is raising sustainability concerns.

In a survey spanning 10,000 consumers across 26 countries, the association found that more than 40% of phones worldwide are repurposed through trade-ins or handing down. Further, with 10% of consumers in the UK investing in refurbished devices, the country far surpassed the global average of 4% for second-hand device purchases. Estimates also suggest that the used smartphone market is projected to eclipse new smartphone sales in years to come, as 2023 saw a 6% increase in the market for reused and refurbished handsets, while sales of new devices deteriorated by 4%.

However, approximately 5-10 billion used phones remain dormant globally as consumers retain devices for reasons including a lack of knowledge about their disposal and the potential loss of photos and memorable data. The GSMA elaborated that if half the number of devices in this estimate were recycled, $8 billion worth of critical materials could be recovered. While sustainability gains precedence, particularly amongst younger smartphone buyers, cash trade-ins and thorough data deletion remain the most compelling incentives for phone recycling.

Steven Moore, head of the climate action at the GSMA, said the survey highlights the need for secure and easy ways to responsibly trade-in phones. “With these markets only expected to grow, this presents many opportunities for companies to innovate to serve this demand,” he added.