Buying More Sustainable Tech
Renewable Tech at Christmas
On the 3 December 1992 Neil Papworth sent the first Text Message. We have just passed a 30-year milestone in the advancement of technology and arguably the most significant invention since the creation of the wheel.
In 1985 the first GSM mobile phones became available – priced in excess of £3,000.00 they were so big they came with wheels…. fitted to your car! In 1997 UK ownership of mobile phones was at 16% and a decade later this had reached 80% helped by Vodafone with their no contract pre-pay phone service.
Between 2009 and 2021 over 22.4 billion phones were sold. In 2023 there are predicted to be sales of new phones back to pre-covid levels at 1.8 billion*.
A vast majority of new phones are purchased in a contract with a network supplier, although it’s no longer necessary to do so. From a sustainability point of view the cost of all this to the planet is somewhat disguised.
Buying a used Christmas present….
The Smartphone is the top everyday tech device most of us are unable to live without. Everything from social media, SMS, email, banking, 2FA (2 factor authentication), shopping and Satnav make the smartphone the one gadget we struggle to do without.
Culture today has driven us into a buy new, buy the latest, buy the fastest and this always comes to a head in December. If you are purchasing for yourself or someone else a tech present makes a wonderful gift. For well over 30 years, we have been buying Sony Walkmans to iPads and Xboxs to laptops, and we are now finding out just how great a cost all these purchases have to our planet.
I have elderly family members who remember growing up in the 40s and 50s before the word austerity had been invented. ‘Make-do-and-mend’ was the only way you got “new things” and that was particularly true at Christmas. Home-made, re-made, repainted, or just second-hand gifts were the only option for most people and this carried on well into the 1960s.
The 21st century and popular culture now precludes “second hand” as a gift options, you only need to take a trip to the amenity tip to see all the old toys being discarded on the run-up to Christmas.
While there are Charity Shops, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist – to name a few – where stuff can be sold on or given away, the sheer quantity of stuff being discarded is mind blowing.
In the run up to Christmas this year, many people are faced with an increasing problem of making ends meet. So maybe it’s time to reconsider and bring about a change in culture.
There are plenty of outlets online who all have a good returns policy where we are able to purchased used tech. It is normal to see stock graded A, B or C based on the condition of the item. Usually, the price reflects this along with the warranty, which on some items is only 3 months.
It is worth considering a SIM only contract for the smartphone and then purchasing a used device to put it in. GiffGaff for example have great SIM only deals and very competitive Data packages. They also have a comprehensive catalogue of used phones to suit all budgets. They, like many suppliers, also have a buy-back option which might be beneficial especially if your ‘old’ phone is actually still quite new.
UNLOCK-IT
Apple in particular have DEP (Device Enrolment Program) via Apple-ID (iCloud) this is so “find my Phone” will work if stolen. The camera will also come on and often show the face of the thief. This is a great thing from a security point of view, but is sadly a disaster for recycling. A factory reset will not remove the device from the previous owner’s account, removal must be done via iCloud.
Apple are not the only manufacturer who have provided great security at the expense of recycling. Google too have enable Android Smartphones to be tied to an account. In some cases, a factory reset on the device will reset ownership but it should be checked before you discard it.
MacBooks, laptops etc are also increasingly set up to an online account which does provide excellent levels of security, but once again it will need to be freed-up before it is sold or donated.
Where do you go to find refurbished devices? In most cases we have to look online, on rare occasions you can find ‘managers specials’ on the high street.
Most of us have a preference – Apple, Dell, HP, Samsung, Lenovo – to name a few. All are available form outlet stores some specializing a particular brand. If you buying for someone else don’t leave it until the last minute. It might not work, some failure in the description or you just don’t like the look of it. Most sites have a very flexible returns policy and this is probably worthwhile checking prior to purchase. Give yourself a good couple of weeks before you need to wrap it, just in case.
We could list “online stores” here but we don’t want to endorse anyone in particular. Just type “Refurbished MacBook” or “Refurbished laptop” and the most popular and boosted site will appear first.
Like the second-hand car market, IT is also suffering from a shortage of new stock. You can expect to pay more than new prices for some 1–2-year-old equipment. This is partly due to component shortages, but also there are additional overheads when shipping out used equipment – someone has to turn it on a make sure it works before you get it!
Although on the surface buying secondhand tech may seem more work, the more we demand these options, the easier and more widespread it will become.
If you’re not in a hurry to buy, why not come and chat with me on my stand at Kinder Living Home Show 2023 on 4 and 5 March. Together we can help keep usable tech out of landfill.
Cliff Jackson, Kinder Living Director and owner of Easyline Communications.
*Ref: https://www.sellcell.com/how-many-mobile-phones-are-sold-each-year/