Green Alliance urges firms to recycle old smart devices

A new report has called on technology companies to extend the life of mobile devices, as mobile handsets are becoming more carbon intensive.

The report, called A circular economy for smart devices and published by Green Alliance, urges firms to embrace a circular economy business model.

The study suggests that by adopting more sustainable practises technology companies could boost their sales and reduce their environmental footprint.

Green Alliance specifically analysed mobile devices including smartphones, tablets and laptops, and found that the second-hand device market is “booming”.

They found the second-hand market is worth US$3 billion (£1.94bn) annually in the U.S. alone.

The report adds that new sales are slowing and 8 per cent of new smartphones are expected to partially use recycled materials by 2018.

As well as benefitting cost and resource pressure, recycling can slash the carbon footprint of a company.

The study also found that devices are becoming increasingly more carbon intensive, with the carbon footprint of iPhones quadrupling over the last five years.

Dustin Benton, author of the report, said: “Smartphones, tablets and laptops are spreading the benefits of internet access across the globe. But their production is increasingly carbon intensive, and rapid upgrades mean too many good devices end up abandoned in cupboards and desk drawers, before ending up as e-waste. If companies can make reuse easier, that can boost sales and cut environmental impact”.

The report suggests a range of measures companies can take to make their business models more sustainable.