Sustainability is already influencing the choices of the Portuguese people, and solutions that allow consumers to sell their old mobile phones for recycling or refurbishment are on the rise. However, a recent study conducted by Kantar with Swappie shows that from 2022 to 2023, the number of Portuguese who are not aware of this option or have not yet thought about selling their equipment increased from 76% to 80%.
Although half of the Portuguese population is already buying more used products and the benefits of this offer in the economic stress scenario, consumers seem determined to keep their old mobile phones, whether they are in a condition that allows them to be used or not.
Data reveals that about 65% of Portuguese want to keep their old smartphone in case they need it, as a backup cell phone. Meanwhile, 45% of people who keep a damaged device reveal that, in fact, they do not know that it is possible to make money by selling a damaged device, with 1 in 4 Portuguese people seeing this selling process as also requiring a lot of effort .
“It is imperative that technology brands improve their offerings for device purchases and refurbishments to ensure consumers make the most of outdated technology accumulating at home, promoting the circular economy and saving the planet from e-waste. At Swappie, we want people to understand that even unused phones can be given a new lease on life, which is why we welcome iPhones in any condition. “In a rigorous and specialized process, they are refurbished completely or in parts to revitalize technology that would otherwise have been forgotten in a drawer,” says Luisa Vasconcellos e Sousa, Swappie’s manager in Portugal.
Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
