Mobilezone, founded in 1999 and is Switzerland’s leading independent telecommunications specialist, with 125 shops, it offers multi-provider mobile plans, internet, TV, and sustainable refurbished device services, has reported significant, independently quantified carbon savings from its expanding refurbished smartphone operations, underscoring the growing strategic relevance of circular business models within the European secondary mobile market. In the 2025 reporting year, the Swiss operator achieved CO2 savings of around 900 tonnes through sales of refurbished devices under its jusit brand, positioning lifecycle extension as a material contributor to its sustainability performance.
Quantified climate impact
The reported CO2 reduction is based on a detailed product carbon footprint assessment conducted in collaboration with long term sustainability partner ConClimate. According to mobilezone, the calculation isolates the environmental impact of its refurbished smartphone activity and compares it with the emissions associated with new device production. The resulting savings, equivalent to hundreds of long-distance car journeys around the Earth, highlight the climate relevance of reuse at scale when applied systematically across device portfolios.
Fully domestic circular process
A defining characteristic of mobilezone’s Second Life model is that the entire circular process is executed within Switzerland. Devices are acquired through buyback programmes in approximately 125 mobilezone retail locations or via postal trade in, before undergoing certified refurbishment, testing and quality control at the company’s facility in Rotkreuz. The devices are then reintroduced to the market through mobilezone channels, ensuring traceability and operational oversight across the full value chain.
Refurbishment quality as differentiator
Mobilezone attributes the performance of its jusit brand partly to its internal refurbishment standards. All devices are refurbished and certified in house, with exclusive use of original parts. This approach supports consistent grading outcomes and reduces variability in secondary market quality, an issue that continues to challenge trust and price stability across parts of the refurbished smartphone sector.
Rising demand validates model
According to the company, customer demand for jusit refurbished devices continues to grow both online and in store. This sustained uptake indicates increasing acceptance of refurbished smartphones as a mainstream alternative to new devices, particularly as pricing pressures, supply constraints and sustainability expectations converge across European markets.
Lifecycle extension reduces resource intensity
From an environmental perspective, the reuse of smartphones directly extends product lifespans and avoids resource and emission intensive manufacturing of new devices. By limiting the extraction and processing of rare raw materials, refurbished programmes such as mobilezone’s contribute to reduced upstream environmental impact while improving overall material efficiency within the electronics ecosystem.
Alignment with broader sustainability goals
Mobilezone links the emissions savings generated through its refurbished activities to its wider sustainability commitments, including economic growth, industrial innovation, responsible consumption and collaborative partnerships. By embedding refurbished smartphones within its core commercial strategy, the company positions circularity not as a peripheral initiative but as an integrated business driver with measurable outcomes.
Refurbished market maturity
As the global refurbished smartphone market continues to mature, quantified impact reporting is becoming increasingly important. Mobilezone’s CO2 accounting demonstrates how transparent measurement can support credibility with stakeholders, regulators and partners, while reinforcing the role of recommerce in delivering scalable environmental benefits alongside commercial performance.
Market
Trade-in
Repair
Refurbishing
