Gentilly,
France
Why is this important?
The digital carbon footprint is one of the most pressing issues in decarbonization: It is accounting for 6% of global carbon emissions and growing at a double-digit rate. By 2030, this could reach 20%. With over 40 billion digital products in circulation, hardware production alone represents 80% of the total digital impact. However, only 17% of all used devices are effectively collected, and less than 5% are refurbished. Additionally, 70% of the refurbished devices purchased in Europe by consumers are actually imported from foreign areas (China and United States). Developing efficient refurbishment facilities located in Europe is essential to address this issue.
Why does this project need financial support?
Thanks to carbon credits, the project aims to double capacity within the next 5 years. Financial support from carbon credits is essential for Recommerce © to expand its buyback activities, establish new refurbishment facilities in Europe, and increase its market share. With collection rates for small electronics like mobile phones below 5%, Recommerce aims to reduce electronic waste by refurbishing used devices. Challenges include resistance from producers to provide more repairable products and inadequate collection systems. Carbon credits also provide the financial support needed to make refurbished devices competitively priced and more appealing to consumers.
What is unique about this project?
Recommerce © seeks to work on local loops, all located in Europe by multiplying buy back programs targeted at EU consumers first, and has developed over eight refurbishment facilities in Europe to optimize emissions due to transportation, and, therefore, carbon emissions, ensuring the best possible environmental impact.