Swappie’s 8 Tips for a greener Christmas

Swappie, an online iPhone refurbishment company focused on sustainability, is sharing its ways of making this Christmas season more green. Swappie puts their iPhones through a 52-step process to ensure that they are working properly and make any necessary repairs.

According to Swappie, “the carbon footprint of a Swappie refurbished smartphone is 78% less than that of a new smartphone.” In 2021, the company comparatively reduced emissions by 23,550 tons of CO2E, which is equivalent to what almost 400,000 trees consume over 10 years.

It was founded in Finland, in 2016, after the founders were the unfortunate victims of an online scan to repurpose and purchase phones. The ambition of a circular economy for technology is at the root of everything Swappie does and is what drives them on their mission of making refurbished devices, more common and popular.

At Swappie, they believe tech doesn’t have an expiry date, and to extend the life of an iPhone, Swappie purchases the device you’ve outgrown and either repairs it in-house or recycles all the reusable parts to be used again and again. The process of buying and selling refurbished iPhones has attracted over 1 million customers.

Tips for a Greener Christmas from Swappie

1. Experiences, more than things

Instead of buying physical gifts that may end up unused, get gift experiences such as concert tickets, cooking classes, or even a subscription to an online service. These gifts are memorable, personalized, and don’t produce waste.

2. Shop local

Supporting local artisans with sustainable practices reduces the carbon footprint associated with shipping and packaging. It also helps build community resilience.

3. Buy gifts with a purpose

Choose gifts from brands that prioritize social and environmental impact, such as fair-trade goods, organic products, or items from companies with a clear give-back mission.

4. DIY

Handmade gifts, such as home-baked treats, upcycled crafts, or personalized photo albums, carry sentimental value without harming the environment. Encouraging creativity and personalization can reduce the waste that comes with mass-produced items.

5. Wrapping

Avoid single-use wrapping paper and instead, opt for reusable alternatives like fabric gift wrap (like furoshiki, the Japanese wrapping technique), recycled paper, or repurposed materials like old maps or newspaper. Tying gifts with reusable ribbons or natural materials like twine can also add charm without waste.

6. Charity

For the person who has everything, make a donation in their name to a cause they care about, such as an environmental charity or a community project. It’s a thoughtful way to reduce material waste and contribute to a meaningful cause.

7. Go digital!

Gifting digital content, such as e-books, audiobooks, or streaming subscriptions, minimizes material waste while offering entertainment or learning opportunities.

8. Long lasting is the way!

Encourage choosing products that are built to last, reducing the likelihood of them being replaced or discarded quickly. For tech, refurbished iPhones from Swappie are a great example of high-quality, durable gifts, thanks to a 12-month warranty and extensive 52-stage refurbishment process

“Because we can all agree, that great tech shouldn’t cost us the earth.”