Why sustainability matters

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Environmental benefits of buying and selling electronics peer-to-peer

This week is the London Climate Action Week. As a London based start-up focused on contributing towards a safe and fair circular economy. With this in mind, the following blog looks at how buying and selling electronics peer-to-peer contributes to a greener and better world.

First of all, why should we care?

Imbalance. At the current rate of production of electronic products, we are creating an imbalance of nature that is having a direct impact in harming our planet. From endangered rare materials which are sitting in the motherboards to CO2 leaking out of the factories that make the very products, our generation has turned a blind eye to the impact that this philosophy of “over-consumption” has had on the planet.

Phones and electronics devices going to waste bins now contribute to the fastest-growing type of waste in the world: electronics waste or e-waste. It is this unbalanced and hurried lifecycle a device has which has caused this imbalance. To solve this environmental issue, as consumers we must now adopt a sustainable mindset so that we can control this.

How is society contributing to the problem?

Over 70% of us don’t think about re-selling their device. Instead, devices are stockpiled in drawers at home and later thrown away. In the UK “4.7 million people in the UK admitted to throwing their old phone away in a general waste bin instead of recycling or trading it in” (26th Oct 2020 Circular). Despite the cliche, we are all in this together and unfortunately cannot just rely on the big corporations to make this change. It’s important to realise the value that the devices hold and the impact re-selling it or recycling it can have. As explained in our previous blog you could not only help extend the life of a phone but also save over 70% buying and selling your device in a peer-to-peer marketplace.

Companies like Apple constantly innovate to offer more sustainable options. In the recent launch of their iPhone 12 range, there has been controversy about not adding the charger and headphones as a mean to help the environment reduce the number of cables. Nonetheless, the materials used for these new phones make it the first smartphone with 100 per cent recycled rare-earth elements..

The UK generated the second most waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) per capita in the world in 2019, behind only Norway, according to a report published by a global e-waste report in July 2020.

How can you help?

Think circular, think peer-to-peer and change your mindset. Larger corporations are implementing already some action. It’s now time that you as an individual, take action. Nearly 60% of households in the UK have between one and three unused devices sitting at home (Circular 2020). That can be easily converted into extra income from reselling the device. There are also programs where you can donate your phone to help the most vulnerable stay connected.

At vendi, we offer you the option to get the most value in the safest way to buy or sell your device. It requires a minimal amount of effort to list your phone on the platform (less than 30 seconds to list it) and you can start contributing to a greener and more sustainable planet.

Cheers,
The vendi team