How can we reduce European resource use drastically? Examples for Factor X reduction in resource use in Europe

Smartphones have moved from the fringe of computing to the mainstream in just a few years as consumers have been drawn to the simplicity of the new user interfaces and seamless connectivity. But, while smart devices are smart, the physical systems they end up in are not and are associated with a huge waste of resources. In 2010, 89% of mobile devices ended up in landfill in the US and millions more languish in drawers until they reach technological obsolescence.

So what should we do with discarded smart phones? Reuse them!

Reusing retains up to 50% of the original value of a smart phone, and over 400X the value of the materials recovered through recycling. Extending the lifetime of a phone by only one year cuts its carbon footprint by 31% (factor 1.5X) and water consumption by 29% (factor 1.4X), because most of the environmental impacts come from the manufacturing process. And, while the average phone is in use for less than two years, there is a market for second hand devices up to four and a half years and this market is growing, in Europe and abroad, so be quick to enter it otherwise others will!

How? Green Alliance has looked at how companies can establish a circular economy for smart devices and suggested six models. But there can be many more. The models combine elements from three area of intervention: software, hardware and business models, and changes range from greater modularity to servitisation. Some options will work better than others, depending on the company and the consumer. But what is clear is that opportunities abound for companies who build circular economy thinking into their business, and this thinking will help them overcome challenges such as market saturation and a slowing rate of upgrade, while reducing the environmental footprint of smart devices.

For more information on Green Alliance’s work on a circular economy for smart devices, have a look at our reports at

http://www.green-alliance.org.uk/a_circular_economy_for_smart_devices.php

http://www.green-alliance.org.uk/end_of_the_upgrade.php