"The need to protect the environment is more urgent than ever. The United Nations' Global E-waste Monitor 2024 reports that the world produced 62 million tons of electronic waste in 2024, up 82% since 2010. Only 22.3% was recycled properly. E-waste is growing five times faster than recycling systems can keep up, and by 2030, 82 million tons of electronics will need to be reused or recycled each year."
"James Murdock, who started Alchemy Global Solutions, talked about the benefits of the circular economy on Earth911's Sustainability In Your Ear podcast. His company has refurbished and resold over 12 million devices, keeping them out of landfills and giving them new life. He noted that most people keep their smartphones for about two and a half years, even though manufacturers say they can last six to eight years. This means millions of working phones are thrown away too soon."
The refurbished electronics market reached $62 billion globally in 2025 and is projected to reach $122 billion by 2032. Trusted marketplaces now sell certified, warrantied refurbished devices that function like new and often cost 30% to 70% less than retail. Global electronic waste reached 62 million tons in 2024, with only 22.3% properly recycled, and e-waste growth outpaces recycling capacity. Refurbishers have kept millions of devices out of landfills; one company resold over 12 million devices. Consumers often replace smartphones every two and a half years despite longer lifespans, and refurbished phones made up over 25% of secondary-market sales in 2024.
Read at Earth911
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]