By now you have likely heard of the global microchip
shortage
or been impacted by it somehow. Chances are anything you bought online in the
past year, especially if it was an electronic device, cost more and took longer
to deliver. That is because microchips (aka semiconductors) are necessary at so
many points along the electronics supply chain. Much of the focus has been on
the fact that the manufacturing stage of our personal electronic devices is chip
intensive; but the logistical side needs to be considered, as well: Cars, boats,
planes, trains, delivery trucks — all motorized vehicles rely on microchips to
get your order to you. It really makes you think differently when you go to buy
a new laptop or phone. Supply and demand issues happen all the time across all
industries; but this one specifically has impacted everyday consumers
profoundly. As demand for chips is only predicted to increase in the coming
years, one growing sector is poised to help keep the floor from falling out of
the technology sector.
This is, of course, refurbished electronics. The growth of this sector would
alleviate some of the supply pressure put on manufacturers, whilst meeting
consumers’ demand for electronics from
smartphones
to appliances. And this would also help push the price of electronics down by
keeping more of them in circulation longer.
Technology companies prioritize selling the latest and greatest, and
unsurprisingly have not been overwhelmingly supportive of the repair market.
However, with the COVID-fueled global chip shortage, the industry’s ability to
continue churning out shiny new devices took a hit in the past
year
— and consumer demand now outpaces
supply
in a number of industries. But, contrary to what it may seem, the chip shortage
is not all doom and gloom.
Embracing a circular economy
Supply chain issues will help push us towards more sustainable tech options,
thus providing consumers with better value and the planet with better options.
Refurbished electronics are more readily available and offer nearly the same
"must-have" features, all at a much more affordable price.
Opening access to sustainable design
Join us at SB'24 San Diego (October 14-17) as Prakash Arunkundrum — Logitech's Head of Global Operations and Sustainability — shares insights from search for next-generation materials, components and processes to develop superior products with sustainability as a high design priority.
Big tech companies’ business model centers on new product sales every
year,
which takes a toll on the environment. Only 20 percent of electronics sold are
properly
recycled,
and the rest end up in landfills. This makes e-waste the fastest-growing form
of waste in the world. Most
big tech companies have vowed to become carbon neutral by 2030; if they want to
achieve that goal, they will have to start embracing a circular business
model
— as major players including
Apple,
Samsung,
Microsoft,
HP and more are slowly
beginning to do.
That’s where refurbished electronics come in. The industry has seen huge strides
in recent years in terms of quality and customer
protection.
Customers now have a wealth of options to choose from to get good-as-new tech
for less. Of course, more options can mean more homework for consumers. That’s
why we are seeing marketplace models such as Back
Market grow. Marketplaces do the legwork — they
often set quality standards among providers, provide guarantees and minimize
risks, and make the proposition of buying refurbished electronics a lot less
risky.
Refurbished providers are addressing a rapidly growing environmental
issue
by giving consumers a choice. Most if not all of the major cell service
providers offer 2-year contracts and other deals that make it enticing for
customers to upgrade to the newest device; sometimes they can upgrade for
free just by signing on. This may
seem like the norm in the US; but the truth is, this model is inherently
unsustainable due to the massive amount of e-waste it produces. With
good-as-new, refurbished options offered by companies such as Back Market,
breaking away from the linear model that has served big tech for decades can be
achieved. This is also relevant at a corporate level, as it gives
environmentally conscious brands the option to supply their workforce with
devices that have a much lower carbon footprint.
Conclusion
As chip supply catches up to demand, we hope that the refurbished market and a
circular economy can gain more traction. Interestingly, 50 percent of customers
in the US that bought from Back Market in the past year were trying refurbished
for the first time. This points to how young the circular economy is — and how
much it can grow with a little help from, well, everyone. You can make sure your
devices do not end up in a landfill; there are plenty of
options
to keep your old device in circulation. The demand for devices is not expected
to decrease, therefore shortages in electronics will likely persist. If you are
in the market for an electronic device, buying used is certainly a smart option
— not only for your wallet, but more importantly for the environment.
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Published Sep 15, 2021 8am EDT / 5am PDT / 1pm BST / 2pm CEST