Refurbed Launches Electronic Device Insurance Following Milestone of 100,000 Irish Devices Saved:

refurbed, Europe’s fastest growing and Ireland’s leading online marketplace for refurbished electrical devices, has announced 100,000 devices saved, and the launch of its newest offering: refurbed Plus. Irish customers can now insure their tech devices, allowing them to get the most out of their devices and further engage with the circular economy. Refurbed Plus allows for the repair or replacement of the specified electronic device against liquid damage, damage by third parties, damage due to breakage or falling, display damage, fire damage, robbery, and burglary.

Refurbed provides Irish consumers with more sustainable, refurbished technology when compared to the mass waste produced by buying new devices. This new offering not only protects the customer’s device, but also the environment. Simply by selecting device insurance at checkout, a refurbed Plus membership for 1 year, including equipment insurance, will be added to the customer’s shopping cart. Refurbed will also plant a tree every month for the duration of the membership, and if the customer has insured a smartphone, and the fitting model is in stock, they will receive a free PanzerGlass™ screen protector.

Pádraig Power, Senior Marketing Manager: Global Operations & Ireland at refurbed explained “It is a great accomplishment to provide another level of protection to our customers. While all refurbed products undergo a 40-step refurbishment process, and are of the highest quality, we’ve all been in an unfortunate scenario where we have dropped and damaged a device ourselves, or have had it stolen. Refurbed Plus offers an alternative to simply throwing out your old phone and buying a new, often more expensive, alternative; helping customer to continue to protect the environment, but also protecting the pockets of our customers.”

E-waste is the fastest-growing waste source in European households, according to the Global E-waste Monitor 2020. This is due to high electrical device usage, short product life cycles, and limited repair choices. Furthermore, according to the Final Report ProSUM, 10 million metric tonnes of e-waste are created in Europe each year, with only 40% of this material being collected for recycling.

The findings from refurbed’s joint research with Fraunhofer Austria earlier this year illustrated the significant environmental savings potential that can be achieved via refurbishment. Customers, for example, can save up to 60% on e-waste by purchasing a refurbished Samsung Galaxy S20 instead of a new one. The potential savings on the Apple MacBook Air 2017 are much greater, at 80%.

This is part of refurbed’s wider commitment to both the circular economy and the right to repair movement. The existing linear model of production, consumption, and waste management is unsustainable since many of the resources on which it is based are finite. This abuse exposes our planet’s limitations and harms the environment at large. To combat this, a shift to a circular economic model, or circular economy, is required. The right to repair is a critical project milestone. According to refurbed, appliance repair and reuse should not only be an option, but a new European standard. Several of the European Commission’s strategy documents have already announced the introduction of the right to repair law.

Peter Windischhofer, co-founder of refurbed, speaking on the announcement said “Reaching a significant milestone, we are thrilled to announce that a staggering 100,000 devices have been rescued from ending up in landfills and given an additional life cycle, all thanks to the environmentally conscious choices made by Irish consumers who have opted for refurbished products over brand new ones. This achievement fills us with immense pride, and it underscores the positive impact that conscious consumer decisions can have on sustainability. Embracing a circular economy and the right to repair isn’t just a choice – it’s a responsibility we owe to our planet. Through refurbed Plus we hope to empower our consumers to protect their devices while minimising the negative effect on our environment.”

Refurbed’s co-founder, Kilian Kaminski, was appointed as one of the newest board members of the European Association for Refurbishment (EUREFAS) to promote fair conditions to build a long-term circular economy earlier this year.

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