“Smart devices, such as phones, could go through up to three or four usage cycles during their lifetime,” said Markus Veimann, head of partner relations at Upgreat, a company specializing in device buybacks. This means that after each returned smart device, it gains a new life, helping to reduce CO2 emissions and conserve resources that would otherwise be spent on producing new devices.
According to Veimann, used smart devices hold great value for the circular economy because they contain essential materials and critical raw resources that can be efficiently recycled or reused through proper waste handling. “Even completely outdated or non-functional devices should be reintroduced into circulation. In such cases, we ensure that the valuable components are put to their best possible use. For example, old and broken devices become donor devices whose parts can be reused. Batteries and other components are sent to certified recycling and disposal companies,” Veimann explained.
At Upgreat, devices are thoroughly assessed upon arrival. “If the screen is broken, we replace it. If the battery capacity has dropped below 80%, we replace the battery too. If the device is in good condition, it goes directly for sale and finds a new owner. In this process, devices are categorized into classes such as A, B, or C,” said Veimann.
The widespread myth that devices returned in Estonia end up in containers bound for Africa does not hold true, Veimann emphasized. “In reality, repaired and inspected devices are primarily resold in Estonia, as well as in Finland, Latvia, and Lithuania – with a warranty,” he assured. “This ensures that each device is utilized to its fullest extent within the same region.”
Why don’t people put their devices into circulation?
More than half of Estonians left their last smartphone, which they stopped using, simply lying in a drawer, according to a study conducted by Inbank and Norstat. “It is worth noting that many of these smartphones were still in good condition and functional. If people opted to rent phones instead of buying them, the devices would automatically be reintroduced into circulation,” said Piret Paulus, Head of Business Development at Inbank.
While a third of Estonians plan to replace their smartphones every 4–5 years and 28% every 2–3 years, the actual lifespan of a single phone is significantly longer. According to Veimann, Apple devices like the iPhone 11 remain highly popular in the second-hand market due to their durability. “The quality of iPhones enables them to last up to ten years and go through multiple usage cycles. The same applies to AirPods and Apple Watches,” noted the Upgreat expert.
Paulus explained that the study also highlighted various reasons why Estonians are hesitant to return their old phones. “About a third of respondents believe their old device still holds emotional or practical value. Nearly the same number said they don’t have the time to return the device, and 23% felt that the financial compensation for returning their device was insufficient,” Paulus noted.
Another major concern among Estonians, shared by two-thirds of the study participants, is data security and protection when returning devices. “Better awareness of what happens to the device after it is returned would encourage people to put their idle devices into circulation,” Paulus added.
The Upgreat expert reassured that every device returned as part of the recycling process undergoes a strict data protection procedure. “All data on the devices is completely erased, and if requested by the customer, hard drives can be overwritten up to seven times. This ensures both the former and new owners of the device can have peace of mind about data security,” Veimann emphasized, encouraging everyone to return their old devices for reuse.
“If you have four old iPhones sitting in your drawer that are no longer being used, it’s time to bring them back. Devices should not simply be thrown away – every device can be maximized, whether through reuse, repair, or component recycling.”
