Refurbished devices have been around for many years now and they’ve always been a good idea for those who want the latest tech but want to save money. However, something many people don’t think about is how they help with sustainability and the environment. Those who are interested in living more sustainably can take advantage of refurbished devices to help minimize their carbon footprint.
How Refurbished Devices Work
Devices that are no longer needed are collected and inspected by companies like Plug Tech. They’ll take the device through a series of tests to see what is working and what isn’t, as well as what might need to be replaced soon. Once the inspection is done, they’ll repair anything that’s broken, defective or worn out. This gets the device back to factory specs so it’ll be ready to use for a long time.
From there, the device is cleaned completely and any data from the previous user is erased. This puts it back to a like-new condition, and it’s tested again. This ensures the quality and allows companies to offer warranties on the refurbished device. If the device passes all tests, it’s ready to be sold to someone new. These devices can range in age significantly, but it is often possible to see some of the latest tech be turned in to be refurbished and ready for a new owner.
Reduce Waste
With the explosion of technology in recent decades, there has been a significant increase in the amount of waste created. E-waste is any discarded electrical device that includes a battery or a plug, so it covers quite a few different items. Still, the amount of e-waste being thrown away has nearly doubled in the last 15 years, and it’s expected to get worse over time. Recycling these devices to be reused by someone else can help reduce the amount of waste created by e-waste and help recover more of the raw materials used in their creation.
Reduce the Need for New Devices
When devices are refurbished, they not only keep the devices out of landfills, but they reduce the need to create new devices. This helps to reduce the overall environmental impact associated with creating new devices, as there won’t be as many needed when they can be refurbished and sold in like-new condition again. This helps to reduce the amount of work done to create these devices, including the amount of pollution created in their creation.
Environmental Benefits
In the creation of new devices, rare earth elements are used. These are mined from different areas and are used as components in a wide range of different electronic devices. The impact this can have is significant, as these materials are rare and are being depleted by the creation of new devices. Refurbishing devices helps to minimize this, as fewer new devices are needed when older ones can be refurbished and work properly.
If you’d like to have the latest tech but want to save money and help the environment, refurbished devices are the way to go. Look for ones that have been fully refurbished and tested to ensure the device is going to work properly and last as long as possible. But when you do buy something that has been fully refurbished, you can expect it to last for years.
