According to Omdia, the weak demand for new smartphones in recent years has led to a record growth of display shipments to the refurbished phone market in August 2026. This trend highlights the increasing importance of electronics recycling and refurbishment as consumers turn to second-hand devices.
Last reviewed by Samantha Holloway on 06 August 2026
What Is Driving the Surge in Refurbished Phone Market?
The surge in the refurbished phone market is driven by weak demand for new smartphones, with more people opting for cost-effective alternatives like pre-owned phones. The demand for refurbished phones has grown significantly over the past year, with sales increasing by 15% compared to the previous period.
How Does This Affect Electronics Recycling?
This trend benefits electronics recycling because it increases the volume of devices entering refurbishment channels rather than being discarded as
e-waste. By extending the life cycle of smartphones through refurbishing and repair services, less waste ends up in landfills or incinerators. For example, a million phones contain valuable materials such as 35kg of gold, highlighting the economic incentives for proper recycling.
What Are the Environmental Benefits?
Refurbishment reduces environmental impact by conserving resources that would otherwise be required to manufacture new devices. Recycling one tonne of smartphones can recover up to 15 kilograms of palladium and 340 kilograms of silver, which are important in electronics manufacturing but often come from non-renewable sources.
How Can Consumers Participate?
Consumers play a vital role by choosing refurbished phones over new ones. By doing so, they reduce the demand for raw materials needed to produce new devices, thereby lowering carbon footprints and conserving natural resources. Additionally, consumers can benefit financially since refurbished phones are often available at significantly lower prices than their brand-new counterparts.
What Should Electronics Recycling Companies Do?
Electronics recycling companies should invest in technologies that improve the efficiency of refurbishing processes while ensuring safety standards for handling hazardous materials like lithium-ion batteries. For instance, improving battery collection and recycling infrastructure can help manage the growing market expected to reach 2.5 TWh by 2030.
What Are the Policy Implications?
Policymakers need to strengthen regulations such as the
WEEE Directive in Europe or develop similar frameworks globally to ensure that more electronics enter refurbishment rather than disposal channels. These policies should mandate manufacturers to support take-back programs and facilitate easier access to repair services, encouraging a
circular economy approach.
What Can Individuals Do Now?
Individuals can start by exploring local options for electronic device recycling and participating in community e-waste collection events. They can also visit certified electronics recyclers who follow environmental standards like RoHS or
Basel Convention guidelines, ensuring that their old gadgets are disposed of responsibly without harming the environment.
For more information on how to recycle your devices safely and sustainably, check out our guides on [right-to-repair](/guides/right-to-repair-what-it-means) and [urban mining](/glossary/urban-mining).
According to the UNEP, A single tonne of circuit boards contains 40-800 times more gold than a tonne of ore.
Sources
- UNEP
- WHO
- UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024
