Earth Day: the answer to electronic waste is not just recycling

In a world that could reach 82 million tons of electronic waste by 2030, extending the useful life of equipment has become a practical and effective decision.

According to the Global E-waste Monitor 2024, published by UNITAR and ITU, the world generated 62 million tons of electronic waste in 2022 and could reach 82 million tons in 2030. The same report warns that electronic waste is growing at a rate five times greater than documented recycling.

Each new smartphone produced consumes, on average, around 12,000 liters of water, emits approximately 50 kg of CO₂ equivalent and mobilizes around 80 kg of natural resources.

These are values ​​documented in life cycle analyzes published by entities such as ADEME and the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration. When equipment is subject to disruption or reconditioned rather than replaced, these resources are no longer immediately mobilized to satisfy the same need.

Next April 22nd marks World Earth Day and iServices highlights that the relationship with technology also involves simple choices: better protecting equipment, intervening early in the face of signs of wear, replacing critical components when it continues to make technical sense and considering them as a credible alternative to purchasing new. In many cases, extending service life starts right there, before automatic replacement.

Four simple ways to extend the life of electronic equipment:

1. before changing cell phones or computers, when the loss of autonomy begins to compromise use;
2. Always use a cover and a cover to reduce the risk of physical damage;
3. Carry out timely maintenance in the event of any signs of failure, such as unstable charging, damaged screen or sound problems;
4. Consider repairing or purchasing a refurbished one before opting for new equipment.

In 2025, iServices carried out more than 184 thousand repairs, more than 30 thousand technical interventions and processed around 145 thousand refurbished equipment, predominantly smartphones, but also computers, tablets and smartwatches.

In total, more than 360,000 pieces of electronic equipment had their useful life extended, thus avoiding disposal as electronic waste.

Applying conservative average life cycle indices to the universe of equipment intervened, these volumes correspond to an estimated prevention of around 72 tons of electronic waste, an approximate saving of 4.32 billion liters of water, 18 thousand tons of CO₂ equivalent emissions avoided and more than 28 thousand tons of natural resources preserved.

Repair and reconditioning will not solve this problem alone. But they remain one of the most direct, affordable and measurable interventions to stop premature equipment replacement and reduce pressure on resources, energy and raw materials.

For consumers, the logic is simple: better protecting equipment, replacing critical components such as the battery when necessary, repairing failures at an early stage and opting for quality refurbished equipment whenever possible are concrete decisions that extend the useful life of the technology and avoid premature waste.

Methodological note

The environmental impact values ​​presented are estimates calculated based on average ratios applied conservatively to the universe of equipment intervened in 2025.

• Electronic waste: 0.2 kg per piece of equipment, in line with the average weight of current mobile devices
• Water: 12,000 liters per equipment, based on public references for the production of new smartphones
• CO₂e: 50 kg per device, based on environmental reports and smartphone LCA studies
• Natural resources: 80 kg per device, in line with ADEME references for refurbished smartphones

About iServices

Founded in 2011, the company currently has more than 650 employees and is present in more than 140 stores in mainland Portugal, Azores, Madeira, Spain, Canary Islands, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, and accounts for more than thirty thousand repairs per month on multi-brand equipment (Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, among others) and is also representative, in Portugal, of the leading drone brand in the global market, DJI.

Before any repair, iServices always carries out a free, no-obligation diagnosis. This repair service is complemented by a wide range of accessories and gadgets.

iServices works with specialized technicians present in all stores and carries out repairs in around 20 minutes, also offering the Free Collection and Delivery Service at home.

If the customer is not available to go to a store, iServices collects their equipment from anywhere in the country, repairs it and delivers it to the desired location.

Distinguished in 2019 as ‘gazelle company‘, iServices is considered “Recommended Brand”, “The Best Store”, “The Best Online Store”, “5 Star Award” and “Consumer Choice” for the fifth consecutive year in 2026. The brand also renews, in 2026, the seal Choose Sustainablel.