Fairphone tackles Europe’s smartphone e-waste crisis

As International E-Waste Day highlighted, Europe faces a growing e-waste crisis. According to Austrian refurbished marketplace refurbed, around 642 million unused smartphones are currently lying in drawers across the continent. Only a small fraction of these devices is ever recycled. The hidden value of these idle devices is enormous. The precious materials inside them, including gold, tin, and cobalt, represent an estimated total value of € 1.1 billion across Europe. These are critical resources that could be reused but instead remain locked away in forgotten phones.

Designing for longevity and repairability

Fairphone, the Dutch sustainable smartphone manufacturer, has built its mission around addressing this problem at its source. The company designs modular smartphones that are easy to repair and upgrade. Each Fairphone earns a perfect 10 out of 10 iFixit repairability score, and users benefit from long-term software support and widely available spare parts. By extending the life of its devices far beyond the industry average, Fairphone effectively prevents new e-waste from being created in the first place.

E-waste neutral production approach

Fairphone also commits to producing 100% e-waste neutral smartphones. For every device sold, an equivalent amount of electronic waste is collected and responsibly recycled. This model not only balances the environmental impact of new production but also raises awareness of the broader responsibility manufacturers have for the lifecycle of their products.

Creating social and global impact

Beyond Europe, Fairphone partners with ARGO360 in Ghana, one of the regions hardest hit by global e-waste flows. Together, they collect discarded electronics while improving the income and working conditions of local waste collectors. This initiative connects environmental goals with tangible social progress, turning sustainability into a shared community effort rather than a marketing slogan.

From awareness to circular action

Fairphone’s strategy to empty drawers across Europe combines collection, education, and repurposing. Its Reuse and Recycle Program ensures that 62% of collected devices in 2024 were given a second life, while 38% were responsibly recycled. The company also drives awareness through educational projects such as Race Against Waste, where schoolchildren learn about e-waste while collecting it. In 2024, these initiatives accounted for 43% of Fairphone’s total e-waste collection.

Giving old components new purpose

In a partnership with Belgian firm Citronics, Fairphone transforms old Fairphone 2 motherboards into circular microcomputers used in industrial applications. This creative form of repurposing extends the life of components that can no longer function as smartphones, proving that innovation and circularity can coexist.

Testing the trade-in process

Fairphone’s trade-in system is simple and transparent. After selecting a model and answering four questions about functionality, display, and housing condition, users instantly receive a trade-in value offer. Fairphone trade-in scheme is powered by French Cadaoz, a brand name of electronic repair giant Cordon Electronics.

The residual value Fairphone provides is relatively high compared to other manufacturers, although it naturally varies per model. The trade-in is only available when purchasing a new Fairphone, reinforcing the circular approach the company promotes.