buying new phones . We ’ re also working with manufacturers and accessories suppliers to influence more sustainable product design and to reduce e-waste .”
O2 ’ s own recycling initiative has already processed around 3.3 million devices , with close to 95 % of them being refurbished and re-used – extending the life of devices and supporting the circular economy . Some of those devices are sold back to new consumers , and some are donated to those in need through organisations like Hubbub . Rather than sent to the landfill ( the UN ’ s report suggests that just 17 % of all discarded electronics in 2019 even made it to a recycling plant ), functional smartphones are redistributed back into circulation .
The infrastructure to grow the circular economy exists . “ From the point of view of the electronics industry , the biggest shift needed is a philosophical one ,” says Wrench . “ Each brand needs to think beyond its first customer and to consider the circular principles that follow the product through multiple hands .” A brand can add the most value and derive the biggest return “ by taking responsibility for its own products at end of life – by making that point the middle of life .”
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