Page 257 - Kaleidoscope Academic Conference Proceedings 2024

Innovation and Digital Transformation for a Sustainable World

sold in specialized marketplaces and come with a 8%) are made up of small IT and telecommunication
guarantee. equipment, which include laptops, mobile phones, GPS
devices and routers; only 22 per cent is documented as
There is a large potential of second-hand or used devices. In formally collected and recycled [16]. Refurbishing a phone
2022, India was the leading country in refurbished saves 87% of the climate impact of a new phone, by
smartphones market [14]. GSMA predicts that by 2030, the extending their lifespan and thus reducing the volume of
number of used mobile devices collected through electronic waste that ends up in landfills or is improperly
aggregator’s take-back schemes will amount to at least 20% disposed of [17]. The cobalt in them could help make
of the number of new mobile devices. The market will extend batteries for 10 million electric cars. Another advantage is its
robustly into tier 2 and tier 3 cities and rural areas, indicating contribution to a circular economy by encouraging the reuse
broader accessibility and potential for rural penetration. [15] of electronic devices and fostering the development of
sustainable business models.
3. REFURBISHMENT PROCESS AND
BENEFITS Expanding on the financial benefits, refurbished phones
provide a more affordable alternative to new devices to
There are a few companies in India that undertake the consumers, making technology accessible to a broader
process of refurbishing smartphones, some of which are only audience. It also allows a company to profit from products
engaged in refurbishing while others have end-to-end that have been returned owing to cosmetic, performance,
operations from procurement, to refurbishing to sales. The and/or reliability problems. Profits on remanufactured
refurbishment procedure for a mobile phone involves a products have been reported to be as high as 40% as shown
meticulous series of steps with the goal of rejuvenating the in Table 1. The surge in profits from refurbished products
device to a state comparable to that of a brand-new product. has spurred original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to
participate, as illustrated by Apple entering the expanding
This process begins with collection and initial assessment of refurbished smartphone market for consumers in 2016, with
devices for their overall condition. This assessment Samsung following suit in 2017.
determines whether a device is suitable for refurbishment or
should be recycled for parts. During the assessment, each Table 1 - The cost of selected refurbished vs new
phone undergoes a grading process where it is thoroughly smartphones in India
examined for any physical and functional flaws. This New Phone Refurbished Percentag
includes checking the screen, battery life, camera Price (in ₹.) phone price e decrease
functionality, and internal components. Subsequently, any [19]-[22] (in ₹.) [18]
damaged or malfunctioning parts are replaced with good Samsung 12,999 6,999 46%
quality, compatible components to ensure optimal Galaxy
performance and reliability. This may involve replacing the M12
malfunctioning components. Xiaomi 6,999 4,998 29%
Redmi 8a
Following hardware repairs, all personal data from the Oppo A15 8,299 6,199 25%
previous user is securely erased and the phone undergoes Xiaomi 9,599 5,799 39.5%
comprehensive testing to verify its functionality across Redmi 9i
various features and applications. This testing phase is
crucial in ensuring that the refurbished device meets industry Expanding on the social benefits, affordable refurbished
standards for performance and reliability. Additionally, devices enable wider access to technology especially among
software components are meticulously restored to factory underserved and economically disadvantaged communities.
settings or updated to the latest versions to provide users with Offering mobile phones at affordable rates will facilitate
a seamless and up-to-date experience. Finally, the access to information, communication, economic prospects,
smartphones are repackaged and prepared for sale. education, and civic engagement. Smartphones are crucial to
Packaging often mirrors original manufacturer standards to access more online services and reap the benefits of
appeal to consumers. Devices often receive a certification or digitalization. This endeavor not only bridges the digital gap
a warranty, enhancing their market value. but also empowers marginalized communities, thereby
advancing towards a society that is more inclusive and
equitable.
3.1 Refurbishing Benefits

The refurbishment industry creates jobs at various levels,
The refurbishment of mobile phones delivers a wide range of
benefits across environmental, financial, and social including collection, repair, and sales, thereby contributing
dimensions, promoting sustainability, affordability, and to economic growth. In West Africa, formal e-waste
inclusivity in the digital age. collection is driven by training informal sector workers and
providing personal protective equipment. Mobile phone
repair has become one of the most marketable technical
According to United Nations Institute for Training and
Research (UNITAR), out of the 62 billion kg of e-waste opportunities in the region, with training centers established
to equip young people with the necessary skills. For example,
generated globally in 2022, 5 billion kg of e-waste (around
in Côte d’Ivoire, a project launched in 2020 in Abidjan called

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