How a refurbished phone helps the environment — facts & figures
Buying a refurbished phone is good for the environment and your wallet. Find out how much CO₂, water and raw materials you save with a single choice.
Door The Phone Shopper
Gepubliceerd: 2026-06-28
What if one small purchasing decision saved as much CO₂ as a return flight to Barcelona? That sounds like an exaggeration, but it's true. Buying a refurbished phone is one of the most concrete things you can do for the environment — without compromising on quality or budget. Yet most people have little idea what goes on behind the scenes of that shiny new smartphone on the shelf.
Quick summary: A refurbished phone helps the environment because producing a new smartphone consumes enormous amounts of CO₂, water and rare raw materials — and you avoid all of that entirely by choosing a certified, professionally restored device.
Why a new smartphone puts such a strain on the planet
We see it every week in our workshop in Nijverdal: people handing in a phone that's actually working perfectly fine. A small scratch, a battery that doesn't quite last as long, or simply "the new one is out". What happens to that device afterwards — or rather, what could have happened — is exactly what refurbished phones and the environment is all about.
Manufacturing a single new smartphone requires:
- An average of 70 kg of raw materials, including cobalt, lithium, gold and rare earth metals
- 13,000 litres of water to manufacture one device
- Around 70 kg of CO₂ emissions — comparable to driving 300 kilometres in an average car
- Mining in often politically unstable regions, with all the social and environmental consequences that entails
More than 80% of a smartphone's total environmental impact occurs before you even take it out of the box. That makes the choice between new and refurbished far bigger than price alone.
What "refurbished" actually means — and why it matters
Refurbished isn't just a fancy word for "second-hand". There's a world of difference between a phone someone sells without a warranty on Marktplaats and a professionally restored iPhone or Samsung Galaxy that has gone through a full inspection.
At The Phone Shopper, we check every device on more than 100 points: screen, battery capacity, camera, speakers, microphone, connectivity, buttons — everything. Any components that don't meet our standards are replaced by our certified technicians. Only then does a device earn the label "refurbished" and leave with a 2-year warranty.
That makes the refurbished phones in our range not only more environmentally friendly, but also a responsible purchase you can count on.
How much CO₂ do you actually save with a refurbished phone?
Concrete figures are what make this story truly tangible. Research from sources including the European Environment Agency and independent lifecycle analyses shows:
| Comparison |
New device |
Refurbished device |
| CO₂ emissions from production |
~70 kg CO₂ |
~7 kg CO₂ (refurbishment) |
| Water consumption |
~13,000 litres |
Minimal (no new production) |
| Raw material consumption |
~70 kg of material |
Virtually zero extra |
| E-waste contribution |
High (old device discarded) |
Low (device gets a second life) |
| Average saving per device |
— |
~63 kg CO₂ |
A saving of 63 kg of CO₂ per device. That's roughly the equivalent of a return flight from Amsterdam to Barcelona. One purchasing decision, that kind of impact. Can you see why more and more people are consciously choosing a refurbished phone when they want to reduce their environmental footprint?
The e-waste problem: where does your old phone end up?
An estimated 5 billion unused mobile phones are sitting in drawers and cupboards around the world. That's no small amount — it's a mountain of raw materials that have already been extracted, already been transported and have already done their damage, now simply gathering dust.
When phones do get thrown away, they too often end up in countries without proper recycling infrastructure. Heavy metals leach into the soil, and toxic substances are released when they're incinerated. That's the dark side of our throwaway culture around electronics.
By trading in your old device instead of throwing it away, you give it a second life. At The Phone Shopper, that's straightforward: bring in your old phone, we'll give you a fair trade-in value on the spot and prepare the device for its next owner. That's how the circle closes. Want to know how it works? Visit our trade-in page.
Buying refurbished: how the process works, step by step
Perhaps you're still unsure. Is a refurbished phone really reliable? What if something goes wrong? Here's an overview of the process, so you know exactly what to expect.
- Choose your model — Browse our range of refurbished iPhones (SE through to the latest Pro Max) or Samsung Galaxy devices. Filter by brand, model and budget.
- Check the grade — Devices are categorised by condition (Like New, Good, Fair). We describe honestly what to expect, including any signs of use.
- Order online or visit us — Free shipping throughout the Netherlands, or simply pick it up at Willem Alexanderstraat 11 in Nijverdal. That way you can hold the device before you decide.
- Enjoy your warranty — Every refurbished phone comes with a 2-year warranty. If something does go wrong, our in-house workshop is ready to help.
- Trade in your old device — Got an old phone lying around? Hand it in and receive payment within 24 hours.
Is a refurbished phone actually cheaper?
Yes — and often significantly so. Based on our experience, customers save an average of 30 to 50% compared to a comparable new model. An iPhone 14 that costs €999 new can often be found refurbished at The Phone Shopper for €579 to €699, depending on condition.
And for those who prefer to spread the cost: we offer 0% interest financing in instalments of 6, 12 or 24 months. Environmentally friendly and affordable — the two really can go hand in hand.
Interested in other Apple products too? Our range of refurbished MacBooks is steadily growing, and we also have a great selection of accessories to help extend the life of your device even further.
What else can you do to extend your phone's lifespan?
Choosing a refurbished phone is already a big step in reducing your environmental impact. But you can take it even further by keeping your device for longer. A few practical tips:
- Have a worn battery replaced rather than rushing out for a new device — our and are often done while you wait
- Use a sturdy case and tempered glass screen protector — it saves a lot of screen repairs
- Try not to charge your phone above 80% if you're storing it for a while — it significantly extends battery life
- Get water damage or impact damage repaired quickly; small problems become big ones if you leave them
- Trade in your device while it still has value, so someone else can make use of it
In our workshop in Twente, we see every day that a €49 battery replacement can give a phone a trouble-free extra two years of use. That's two years without new production, without additional raw material extraction, without a new cardboard box.
Frequently asked questions
Is a refurbished phone the same as second-hand?
No. A second-hand phone is sold as-is, with no guarantees about the condition of the hardware. A refurbished phone has been professionally inspected, cleaned and repaired where necessary by certified technicians. At The Phone Shopper, every device goes through more than 100 checkpoints and comes with a 2-year warranty. That makes it an entirely different category.
How do I know if a refurbished phone is reliable?
Look at the warranty terms, the inspection criteria and whether the seller has their own workshop. We repair and inspect everything ourselves — so we literally stand behind every device we sell. Buying a refurbished phone elsewhere? Always check that it comes with at least 1 year of warranty and that the return policy is clear.
How much CO₂ do I save by buying a refurbished phone?
On average, buying a refurbished phone saves around 63 kg of CO₂ compared to a new model. This is because more than 80% of a smartphone's environmental impact occurs during production — and that stage is bypassed entirely with a refurbished purchase.
Can I trade in my old phone when buying a refurbished device?
Absolutely. At The Phone Shopper, we value your old device on the spot and pay you out within 24 hours. That gives your old phone a second life, which is exactly how the circular economy is supposed to work. Check out the options on our trade-in page.
Which brands are available as refurbished phones?
We stock an extensive range of refurbished iPhones — from the iPhone SE to the latest Pro Max models — as well as a growing selection of Samsung Galaxy devices. We also carry refurbished iPads, Apple Watches and MacBooks. Browse our full refurbished overview for the latest availability.
What if something goes wrong with my refurbished phone?
Just come and see us. We have our own workshop in Nijverdal, staffed by certified technicians who carry out most the same day. If it's covered by the warranty, we'll fix it at no cost. It really is that simple.
Ready to make the switch? Browse our current range of refurbished iPhones and refurbished Samsung phones, or come and visit us at Willem Alexanderstraat 11 in Nijverdal. We're happy to help you find the right fit — no sales pitch, just honest advice.
Refurbished iPhones, Samsung en iPads
Bespaar tot 50% op een refurbished iPhone. Elk toestel doorloopt ons 50-punts inspectieproces en wordt geleverd met 2 jaar garantie.
Onze diensten
Waarom The Phone Shopper?
- 2 jaar garantie op alle refurbished telefoons
- 30 dagen bedenktijd en gratis retourneren
- Gratis verzending binnen Nederland
- Professioneel 50-punts inspectieproces
- Veilig betalen met iDEAL, creditcard, Bancontact, Apple Pay en Klarna
- Klantenservice bereikbaar op werkdagen 10:00 - 18:00
Kwaliteitsgraden
Al onze refurbished telefoons worden ingedeeld in kwaliteitsgraden:
- Grade A+ (Als Nieuw) — Geen zichtbare gebruikssporen
- Grade A (Uitstekend) — Minimale gebruikssporen
- Grade B (Goed) — Lichte cosmetische gebruikssporen
Klantenservice & informatie
Contact
The Phone Shopper
Willem Alexanderstraat 11
7442 MA Nijverdal, Overijssel
Tel: +31 548 549 536
E-mail: info@thephoneshopper.nl
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