Back Market: the hidden environmental cost of tech

Why faster upgrades come at a cost

Every year, billions of smartphones, tablets and laptops are discarded — many of them still in working order. Conditioned to chase the next upgrade, consumers often ignore the environmental toll of manufacturing and disposing of tech. This is not just about individual waste, but about an entire industry pushing rapid consumption under the guise of innovation.

The cost of fast tech

More than a billion smartphones have been sold annually since 2013. In 2022 alone, 5.3 billion were thrown away, most of them still functional. The digital sector now produces 4% of all global greenhouse gas emissions and could rise to 14% by 2040. With fewer than 25% of devices properly recycled, electronic waste has become the fastest-growing waste stream on Earth.

The illusion of progress in tech

The performance gap between new and old models is shrinking. Many upgrades — brighter screens, better cameras — are marginal, yet marketed as essential. Meanwhile, software updates and non-repairable designs push consumers to buy new instead of maintaining what they have. We’re not innovating; we’re consuming.

New laws are shifting the market

But change is coming. From June 2025, new EU rules will require tech manufacturers to design devices with repairability in mind. The Apple iPhone 16, with its modular parts, is an early sign of compliance. In the US, dozens of states have introduced Right to Repair legislation, showing that regulation — paired with consumer pressure — can move the needle.

A better model for the future

To break the cycle of fast tech, we need to normalise repairing, reusing, and buying refurbished devices. The Right to Repair must be enforced. Consumers must be empowered to choose refurbished Apple iPhones over new ones. And manufacturers must be held accountable for making devices that last.

Conclusion

SecondaryMarket.news could not agree more. Thibaud Hug de Larauze is absolutely right. We have already made progress in tackling single-use plastics and food waste, and now it's time to apply that same momentum to e-waste. A circular economy not only reduces electronic waste and greenhouse gas emissions but also helps conserve fresh water and limit the extraction of rare and precious minerals needed for new devices. It is widely recognized that the primary smartphone market is driven by overproduction.

It is encouraging to see that repair, reuse, and refurbishment can form the basis of a truly sustainable business model. Back Market is a leading example of how this vision can become reality.

Via: LinkedIn Back Market