We look at how investing in creativity is helping the refurbished tech brand punch well above its weight as it seeks to challenge our collective obsession with the new
As the world wakes up to the reality of the climate crisis and new terms like ‘global boiling’, the scale of our ongoing e-waste problem feels worryingly short-sighted. More than 50 million metric tons of electronic devices are reportedly thrown away globally every year. The UK is currently ranked as the second worst offending country with 23.9kg of e-waste per capita; 40% of which is illegally exported to be disposed of in other countries, according to Uswitch.
While much is being done by environmental campaign groups in the fight against e-waste, brands also have a role to play when it comes to changing people’s tech purchasing habits. Founded in 2014 by three French entrepreneurs, Back Market is a global marketplace selling refurbished devices ranging from smartphones to electric scooters. Working with professional refurbishers to guarantee that every device is restored to industry standards, it offers an alternative to our obsession with new technology that is both better for the planet and your bank account.
