Initiatives and Case Studies
refurbed’s repair and refurbishment initiatives
refurbed is Ireland’s leading marketplace for refurbished electronics. refurbed sells more affordable and sustainable tech to consumers and businesses, helping minimise Ireland's e-waste and help Irish consumers battle the ever-rising cost of living. refurbed offers a min. 12-month warranty and flexible payments, with other benefits such as: a 30-day free trial, free delivery, refurbed Business (businesses can easily buy refurbished devices or sell old tech to refurbed partners), and Plus (insurance for consumers to further lengthen device life). refurbed supports environmental initiatives for every product sold, including landscape restoration, atmospheric CO2 removal, e-waste recycling and native Irish tree planting.
Partner Initiative / Large company / IT&T / Recycle / Refurbish / Repair
Key Findings
- Buying refurbished smartphones, tablets, and laptops instead of new, saves on average: -83% CO2, -80 % e-waste and -89% water.
- Since the company was founded in 2017, refurbed has:
– Planted over 6.6 million native trees
– Saved over 270,000 tonnes of CO2
– Saved over 900 tonnes of e-waste
– Saved over 94 billion litres of water
- refurbed offers refurbed B2B to enable them to sell their old tech and further minimise e-waste.
- refurbed offers over 18,000 refurbished electronics options for customers to choose from.
- refurbed lobbies for sustainability at EU level, with refurbed’s co-founder Kilian Kaminski being a board member of EUREFAS (the European Refurbishment Association).
– EUREFAS lobbies to create minimum standards across the EU for companies working within the refurbishment industry.
– Additionally, refurbed actively back initiatives such as the Right to Repair movement, which aims to force companies selling new tech to ensure their devices are easily repairable for customers across Europe.
The Refurbishment Process
Summary
refurbed is an online retailer and Ireland’s leading marketplace for refurbished electronics. They began their journey in 2017 with the vision of making consumption more sustainable. Their goal is to extend the lifespan of EEE and make a measurable contribution to the environment. Since foundation, refurbed has saved 270,000 tonnes of CO2, 94 billion litres of water and 885 tonnes of e-waste compared to new purchases by selling > 4.8 million refurbished devices.
refurbed sells cheaper, more sustainable tech to consumers and businesses. This offers a more sustainable entry into the electronics market for consumers as their products are up to 40% cheaper than the RRP. Key refurbed product categories are smartphones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, audio, gaming consoles and household appliances. refurbed has bridged the gap in the market between refurbishers and customers. Refurbishment is a crucial pillar of the circular economy. 80% of refurbed’s customers purchased new products before buying from them.
refurbed’s motto is ‘Rethink New’ and this is supported by their tested 100% functionality rating. refurbed also offers a min. 12-month warranty and flexible payments, with other benefits such as: BuyBack (businesses can easily sell old devices to refurbed partners, minimising e-waste), and Plus (insurance for consumers to further lengthen device life). refurbed offers a min. 12-month warranty and flexible payments, with other benefits such as: a 30-day free trial, free delivery, refurbed Business (businesses can easily buy refurbished devices or sell old tech to refurbed partners), and Plus (insurance for consumers to further lengthen device life). refurbed supports environmental initiatives for every product sold, including landscape restoration, atmosphere CO2 removal, e-waste recycling and native Irish tree planting.
Following on, they have been active in political engagement throughout their business development. They have based their political philosophy on three pillars: public affairs efforts, cooperation with like-minded people and climate activism in the community.
refurbed contribute to positions on the circular economy and refurbishment to the legislative process at Austrian, German and EU level. This includes commenting on the review processes of news laws, involvement in working groups such as the Circular Economy Task Force and through personal dialogue with decision-makers across Europe.
In addition, refurbed are members of several associations across Austria, Germany, Ireland, Sweden and Brussels, which represent the interests of the circular economy. refurbed welcomes updates in European policy such as the Right to Repair Directive, which will make spare parts cheaper and stop manufacturers from blocking repairs. They are now shifting their activism towards the fight against greenwashing and promoting fair competition in the market. By mixing expertise on e-waste, refurbed and WEEE Ireland want to further their partnership to drive a circular economy in Ireland.
Environmental Impacts
For More Information
www.refurbed.ie / service@refurbed.ie
Or contact WEEE Ireland compliance team at: info@weeeireland.ie