In today's fast-paced tech world, devices are replaced daily by consumers and professionals alike. To foster eco-responsible practices like recycling, reusing materials, and refurbishing, regulators and companies are embracing circular ecology models to manage tech resources effectively.
A circular economy represents a systemic shift in economic development that benefits businesses, society, and the environment. Unlike the traditional linear "take-make-waste" model, it is regenerative by design, decoupling growth from finite resource consumption. This approach explores key concepts, including distinctions between bio-based and engineered materials, strategies to keep products and materials in use, and the evolution of the idea.
Transitioning to a circular economy yields significant advantages. It bolsters economic activity while restoring system health, functioning effectively at all scales—from global enterprises to local individuals.
Globally, it decouples economic growth from raw materials and energy use, reducing negative externalities and delivering environmental gains. Locally, it relocates production, creates jobs, and improves trade balances.
For businesses, it ensures resource access, shields against price volatility, and unlocks new opportunities. For consumers, it shifts from ownership to usage-based models, offering innovative services at affordable prices.
The linear take-use-dispose model depletes resources, generates waste, harms the environment, and exacerbates climate change—with impacts on human health. Circular approaches, especially for plastics, could yield substantial global benefits.
A circular economy preserves value in energy, labor, and materials through sustainable design, reuse, refurbishment, and recycling. It keeps products, components, and materials circulating while optimizing bio-based resources through repeated cycles between consumption and natural systems.
Beyond economics, it protects the environment by eliminating waste and pollution, extending product life, and regenerating natural systems—key to meeting global climate targets.
France's AGIEC laws have transformed circular ecology in product manufacturing. Companies must now ensure 20% of high-tech park materials come from circular sources.
Article L. 541-9-I of the Environmental Code mandates minimum recycled material incorporation for certain products to meet EU recycling goals, excluding renewable raw materials if lifecycle analysis supports it.
A study shows 28% of French people recycle electronics for a second life, while 19% store unused devices at home—especially among 18-24-year-olds. Notably, 31% of those over 55 recycle, and 31% have bought refurbished electronics, with 43% aged 18-34.
Circular economy and ecological transition are reshaping mindsets, particularly among youth and educated consumers. More are reselling or donating old devices: 21% of recent smartphone buyers resold theirs, including 11% to refurbishers.
ADEME estimates 30 million devices languish in French drawers. Companies like Babarent, targeting businesses, offer refurbished smartphones as sustainable alternatives to aging, polluting consumption models.
A refurbished smartphone is a pre-used device collected, inspected, deemed refurbishable, professionally reconditioned, and resold via aftermarket channels.
The global refurbished market exceeds €50 billion, with smartphones at €22 billion. In 2017, 140 million units sold worldwide—a 13% rise from 2016 (Counterpoint Research).
In France, over 2 million sold last year (10% of mobile sales), nearly doubling in two years. Rising prices for sophisticated devices drive demand for affordable refurbished iPhones and Samsungs, including rental options for full lifecycle use.
Unlike second-hand, refurbished devices are fully restored at lower prices, extending lifespan and slashing emissions—85-95% of a smartphone's CO2 occurs in production over two years.
IDC's 2019-2023 forecast predicts 206.7 million used smartphone shipments in 2019 (17.6% growth), reaching 332.9 million by 2023 (13.6% CAGR).
