According to the research team at DoSomething.org, e-waste accounts for more than 2% of all garbage in American landfills. Additional research indicates that e-waste accounts for over 70% of America’s total toxic refuse! As technology continues to evolve and alter our lifestyles, we must become more conscious of what we do with obsolete products and debris that is produced.
Refurbishing electronics is one of the best methods to help the environment while saving money.
What is Refurbished Electronic Equipment?
Suppose you are getting ready for your first semester of college. You require a laptop to complete your assignments, but new models cost nearly $750. Then you discover the exact laptop you desire at a fraction of the price. Then you saw it is labeled as reconditioned.
What Refurbished Mean?
There is a difference between refurbishing an item and selling it as “pre-owned,” although some sellers may attempt to pass it off as such. Before being resold, refurbished products are typically inspected by the original manufacturer to ensure functionality.
All refurbished electronic equipment has been previously used, but not all previously used electronic equipment has been refurbished. Understanding the distinction will help you save money, avoid frustration, and ensure timely access to the items you need.
How are Electronic Products Refurbished?
Currently, there is no universally accepted standard term for refurbished electronics. As stated previously, refurbishing is the process of renewing or updating an item until it is functional, approved for use, and ready to be sold again.
There are a plethora of factors that contribute to a product’s refurbished status, and the vast majority of them involve some degree of wear and tear. Perhaps the package was damaged during shipment. Perhaps the product inside the package was damaged during manufacturing.
Each company will have its own standards for refurbished electronics. Working with companies that maintain ethical licenses and certifications can aid in ensuring that your refurbished products are priced and labeled appropriately.
Benefits of Reconditioned Electronics
Despite the fact that it may be satisfying to open a brand-new product, particularly when it comes to electronics, refurbished products have their place. With e-waste posing such a significant problem and refurbished electronics being so inexpensive, it is simple to understand why some consumers prefer them.
Reduce destructive waste – Electronic items containing toxic materials are rapidly flooding landfills across the globe. Lead and lithium are the most caustic substances, but there are numerous others. By rehabilitating electronic items, we prevent their disposal in landfills and protect the environment.
Helps worthy projects – Did you know that certain electronic refuse can be repurposed? Reusing items such as printer cartridges can be an excellent fundraising strategy.
Typically high quality – Refurbished products you wish to purchase can be just as good as “new” alternatives. Refurbished products such as laptops and video game consoles are subjected to rigorous testing to ensure they are market-ready.
E-waste is here to stay. – How many new workstations and innovative cell phones have been introduced in the past 5 years? With each new edition, a whole group of products is discarded so that consumers can purchase the new edition. Refurbishing, repurposing and recycling electronic items appears to be one of the best ways forward as companies engage customers in efforts to protect the environment.
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Reasonable Costs – Similar to our laptop example, refurbished products make luxury items affordable for consumers on a budget. A basic refurbished label signifies little more than a price reduction, as it should have been inspected for wear and tear before being resold.
The practice of refurbishing electronics is here to stay, and astute consumers can take advantage of this fact.
Electronic recycling R2-certified companies, such as TechWaste Recycling, may also handle your e-waste disposal. Call them to schedule a pickup in the areas we serve.
