The difference between recycling and refurbishing

Many people still think that recycling and refurbishing are the same. This is not surprising, as they are related. Both contribute to a more sustainable world. However, recycling is less efficient than refurbishing. Want to know why? Read on!

What is recycling?

Recycling products means taking them apart so that the usable materials can be transformed into new products. The recycling process starts with waste separation. If this isn’t done properly from the start, it becomes a time-consuming task to recycle the materials. For example, plastic has to go through many steps before it can be made into something new again. In the end, the materials are reused, which stimulates the circular economy. However, there’s a major downside to this process: taking a product apart and turning it into a new product consumes a lot of energy and, therefore, produces CO2. In the end, the CO2 savings are minimal.

"Reusing a product immediately is much more beneficial for the environment. And this is exactly what happens with refurbishing products."

What’s the difference with refurbishing?

Refurbishing or reconditioning electronic devices involves replacing and/or cleaning certain parts, so the device can be used again. Like recycling, refurbishing contributes to the circular economy. Instead of immediately throwing the product into the trash, the goal is to see if it can be reused. Reusing a product right away is much more environmentally friendly. And this is precisely what happens when refurbishing products.

What is the circular economy?

In a circular economy, also known as a closed-loop economy, there is no waste, and materials and resources are reused over and over. Products that are still in good condition are given a second life, and products that are no longer usable are taken apart so their materials can be reused. By refurbishing products, we help slow down the loop. Materials and products are used for longer, which is good for the environment. This means fewer new resources are needed, leading to a reduction in CO2 emissions.

Examples of CO2 savings

Here are some examples of how much CO2 you can save when buying a refurbished iPhone or a refurbished MacBook. The average CO2 emissions from producing one iPhone are around 58 kg. By choosing refurbished, a new iPhone doesn’t need to be produced, saving you approximately 58 kg of CO2! This is equivalent to a one-way car trip from Amsterdam to Lille (France).

Producing a MacBook generates much more CO2 than an iPhone, simply because the device is larger! Producing one MacBook emits 250 kg of CO2, which is equivalent to a one-way flight from Amsterdam to Barcelona!

Refurbished is the future!

It’s clear that refurbished products reduce environmental impact. This is necessary because climate change is a serious issue. Moreover, natural resources will eventually run out, meaning new products won’t be able to be made. Refurbishing is a first step toward a new economy, one where products aren’t quickly discarded but are reused instead.