The real deal on how refurbished electronics help reduce e-waste.
Did you know that in 2020 alone, India generated 1,014,961 tonnes of e-waste?
E-waste is any electronic device or appliance that has reached the end of its utility. Once we’re done with our laptops, smartphones, and other gadgets, we typically discard them as trash. However, e-waste contains harmful heavy metals and toxins that can pollute the environment if not disposed of properly.
E-waste is a growing problem because most electronics contain toxic materials that can leach into the ground and water if they’re not disposed of properly. These toxins can cause cancer, birth defects, and other serious health problems.
One way to reduce your impact on the environment is to buy refurbished electronics instead of new ones. Refurbished electronics are ones that have been used before but have been cleaned and repaired, so they’re like new again.
What Are Refurbished Electronics?
When you hear the term “refurbished,” it might bring to mind images of shoddy, cheap products that barely work. However, when it comes to electronics, refurbished items are those that have been used before but have been cleaned and repaired, so they’re like new again.
Most people think of refurbished electronics as those that have been returned to the store after being bought. However, there are other types of refurbished electronics too. For example, a phone that has been replaced under warranty is considered refurbished. Likewise, a phone that has been traded in for a newer model at a store is also considered refurbished.
Types Of Refurbished Electronics
Generally speaking, there are two types of refurbished electronics: certified and graded.
Certified means that the product has been inspected and approved by the manufacturer. Such products usually come with a warranty from the manufacturer.
Graded, on the other hand, means that the product has been inspected by a third-party company. These products might not have a warranty but are often cheaper than certified refurbished electronics.
The Benefits Of Buying Refurbished Electronics
Now that you know what refurbished electronics are, you might be wondering why you should buy them. After all, wouldn’t it be better to just buy a brand-new product?
As it turns out, there are several reasons to buy refurbished electronics instead of new ones. Here are some of the most important ones:
1. They’re Cheaper
One of the most obvious reasons to buy refurbished electronics is that they’re cheaper than new products. This is because the costs of manufacturing and shipping have already been paid for by the previous owner.
As such, you can often get a high-quality product for a fraction of the price. This is especially true for certified refurbished products, which come with a warranty from the manufacturer.
Buyers on a budget should definitely consider buying refurbished electronics.
2. They Have a Lower Environmental Impact
When you buy a new phone, it likely comes in a lot of packaging. This packaging is made of materials that are not biodegradable and often ends up in landfills.
Much of this waste could be avoided if people bought refurbished phones instead of new ones. Refurbished phones come in recycled packaging or no packaging at all. They also use fewer resources to manufacture than new phones.
In addition, when you buy a refurbished phone, you are reducing your carbon footprint. The manufacturing process of a new phone emits a lot of greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change.
3. They Help Reduce E-waste
As mentioned earlier, India generated 1,014,961 metric tonnes of e-waste in 2020. This equates to over 2780 metric tonnes per day!
A large portion of this e-waste is made up of phones that people have replaced with newer models. By buying a refurbished phone, you can help reduce the amount of electronic waste that ends up in landfills.
E-waste is a major problem because it contains harmful chemicals that can leach into the ground and contaminate soil and water. In addition, many of the materials used to make electronics, such as rare metals, are in limited supply.
When you buy refurbished electronics, you’re helping to reduce e-waste. This is because refurbished products have already been used and don’t need to be replaced as often as new ones.
4. They Support Local Businesses
Buying from a big-box store might be convenient, but it’s not always good for the local economy. When you buy from a small business, on the other hand, more of your money stays in the community.
Many refurbishers are small businesses that employ people from the local community. By buying refurbished electronics from them, you’re supporting your local economy.
While major corporations might be able to offer lower prices, they often don’t have the same positive impact on the community.
5. Their Quality Is As Good As New
Contrary to popular belief, the quality of refurbished electronics is just as good as that of new products. In fact, in many cases, the quality is actually better.
This is because refurbishers often test their products more thoroughly than manufacturers do. They also replace any defective parts with high-quality ones.
As such, you can be confident that a refurbished product is just as good as a new one. In some cases, it might even be better! While buying a “new labeled” product might give you a sense of security, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s better quality.
What Is The Refurbishing Process Like?
Now that you know the benefits of buying refurbished electronics, you might be wondering what the process is like.
In general, the refurbishing process involves four steps: testing, cleaning, repairing, and reassembling.
First, the product is thoroughly tested to make sure that it’s in good working condition. Any defective parts are replaced with new ones.
Next, the product is cleaned to remove any dirt, dust, or grime. In some cases, cosmetic imperfections, such as scratches, are also addressed.
After that, the product is repaired if necessary. This step is usually only necessary for more complex products, such as laptops and TVs.
Finally, the product is reassembled, and packaging is applied. Once that’s done, the product is ready to be sold!
BackClick — Your One-Stop-Shop For Refurbished Electronics
Looking for refurbished electronics? BackClick is your one-stop shop! We offer a wide range of refurbished electronics for sale, from phones to laptops and more.
What’s more, we only sell products that have been thoroughly tested and are in good working condition. We also offer a warranty on all of our products, so you can be confident that you’re making a wise investment.
Don’t contribute to e-waste — buy refurbished! BackClick is here to help you find the perfect product for your needs.
