S2S are a major WEEE recycler and refurbisher. Giraffe developed a carbon footprint tool to demonstrate the benefits of refurbishment and reuse of a range of mobile phones. This took into account the time, shipping and materials required to refurbish the items.
The study analysed the environmental and economic benefits/dis-benefits of:
- Reuse;
- Repair and reuse;
- WEEE Recycling; and
- Landfill.
Over 30 phones were carbon assessed along with the carbon footprint of repairing specific parts. This tool is now used by the client to demonstrate the carbon saving in repairing a phone compared to buying a new replacement. The tool is now available online for their clients to calculate the potential carbon saving of refurbishing mobile phones.