Many people still have one or more unused smartphones at home. By selling these, you not only generate money, but you also contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly solution.
In March 2023, a survey was conducted by Factsnapp on behalf of Swappie among 507 Dutch people. Swappie is an online store for the purchase and sale of refurbished (refurbished or refurbished) smartphones, now only iPhones, and currently active in fifteen European countries, including the Netherlands. Read some remarkable results here.
Unused smartphones
The survey shows that 69.9% of the respondents still have one or more unused smartphones at home. For most respondents (45.1%), there are one or two. Almost two-thirds of the Dutch indicate that they are open to selling an old smartphone to a supplier (67.4%). Nevertheless, 30.8% indicate that they do not want to sell their old smartphone to a stranger.
“There is still a lot of profit to be made with refurbished. First of all, some misconceptions about refurbished will have to be dispelled, for example about guarantees or reliability. With Swappie we focus on quality. This means that our refurbished smartphones have a long lifespan and that people receive a minimum of two years warranty. But the most important thing is that we help you make sustainable choices and be as environmentally friendly as possible, says Martine Hardeveld Kleuver, Country Manager Swappie Netherlands. PC-Active has already put it to the test about buying an iPhone at Swappie. Read the extensive review of Swappie here.
Massive savings on energy, but keep buying stuff
It is clear that the Dutch are not indifferent to the subject. For example, the vast majority of Dutch people (80.7%) indicate that they sometimes worry about the environment and climate change. 85.7% are also prepared to change their behavior for a better environment. The Dutch are already saving massive amounts of energy (84.4%), separating their waste (81.3%) and buying less plastic (75.7%). Nevertheless, buying less stuff, opting for refurbished/second-hand, or repairing what is defective, appears to be the least implemented environmental-saving actions. While the purchase of items has the greatest environmental impact. Only 37.3% regularly buy second-hand or refurbished and 37.1% actually buy less stuff.
“This research confirms that the Dutch are certainly working on sustainability, but that not everyone knows in which areas there is still a lot to gain. The circular economy starts with reduction. By buying less new stuff, we can make the biggest impact,” says Hardeveld Kleuver. “Not everyone is already familiar with selling your old smartphone to a supplier. Every year many old smartphones are thrown away or they end up in a drawer. Selling your old iPhone to a refurbisher is a form of recycling, in which the old device is extensively checked and given a new life.”
Young people more willing to buy second-hand
When asked which products people would consider buying second-hand instead of new, only furniture gets a convincing ‘yes’ (46.1%). However, the Dutch are less willing to accept white goods (24.4%), electronics (32.2%), clothing (35.8%) and kitchen supplies (20.6%). Households with children, on the other hand, are slightly more willing to purchase second-hand items than respondents without children living at home. Overall, the research shows that the younger the respondents are, the more willing they are to buy second-hand.
Half of the Dutch do not know what the circular economy entails
Almost half of the Dutch (48.1%) have never heard of the circular economy or do not know what it means. This is shown by research that Swappie, an online store for the purchase and sale of refurbished smartphones, has had carried out in the Netherlands. After an explanation of what the circular economy entails, 88.8 percent of the respondents believe that it can make an important contribution to a more sustainable future.
