Since 2009, Bouygues Telecom and Recommerce have partnered to drive forward digital responsibility through circular economy initiatives, focusing on the collection, reuse, and recycling of mobile devices. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to making mobile trade-in and refurbishment accessible to consumers and businesses alike. This was one of the first partnership of its kind in Europe paving the way to France being – after the UK -the most advanced secondary mobile market.
A streamlined trade-in process
As part of their smartphone durable program, Bouygues Telecom offers a simple mobile trade-in service in partnership with Recommerce. This service provides customers with exclusive discounts on future purchases, encouraging device recycling and reducing electronic waste.
Over the last 15 years, the partnership has facilitated the recovery of 2.5 million phones, generating € 248 million in discounts for customers. Edward Bouygues, President of Bouygues Telecom Initiatives, expressed pride in the partnership’s success: “Bouygues Telecom believed in Recommerce from the start, and after 15 years of collaboration, it’s clear that it has been a success.”
This means that the average pay out to customers was almost € 100. That is substantial less than the US average as reported by the largest trade-in enable globally Assurant. There average trade-in value, for both Android and iOS, is around € 129. However, the trade-in value is increasing year after year.
Christophe Bortoli, Director of Operational Marketing and Devices at Bouygues Telecom, emphasized the impact: “We are proud to have one of the most advanced programs in Europe, addressing the environmental impact of digital technology while supporting customer purchasing power.”
A lasting commitment to sustainability
Bouygues Telecom and Recommerce continue to focus on reducing their environmental footprint by extending the life of mobile devices. The Solutions smartphone durable program includes four methods to prolong the lifespan of devices, demonstrating their dedication to environmental responsibility. A study by French ADEME (2022) highlights that each used smartphone prevents the emission of 50 kg of CO2 and avoids the extraction of 154 kg of raw materials, reinforcing the environmental benefits of their efforts.
Pierre-Etienne Roinat, President and co-founder of Recommerce Group, expressed enthusiasm for future developments: “We are proud of the results achieved alongside a committed operator like Bouygues Telecom. Our evolving technologies will further democratize and simplify trade-ins, reinforcing local circular economy loops.”
Market

Trade-in

Repair
