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Irish Examiner

Trade-in market for phones up 76% and more than doubles in Cork, says Vodafone

The number of consumers trading in their old phones when buying a new handset has grown 76%, and more than doubled in Cork, according to Vodafone. One in three customers buying a new handset at the firm's stores during the last week of June traded in their old device, demonstrating a growing shift in sustainable tech ownership. Last month, the EU introduced new ecodesign and energy labelling rules for smartphones and tablets. The European Commission said the rules are expected to save 2.2 TWh of electricity consumed while using these devices by 2030, and consumers are projected to save €20bn expenses in 2030. The new rules will also help to optimise the use of critical raw materials like gold and magnesium. The number of trade-ins more than doubled across Vodafone's Cork stores last month, up 103%. Consumers received an average of €150 for their old device. Devices traded in are usually recycled, refurbished, or reused. Vodafone Ireland has 2.3 million customers in Ireland. Vodafone Ireland said trade-ins have saved customers €8m. 'Trade in plays a critical role in driving Vodafone Ireland's commitment to protecting the planet, as well as offering affordability for our customers. With one in every three customers across our retail stores trading in a handset, we're delivering on our ambition to tackle e-waste and supporting the circular economy in Ireland,' said Vodafone Ireland chief executive Sabrina Casalta. 'This is a tangible method to deliver change and make a difference for generations to come.' An estimated 7.3m smartphones lie unused in Irish households, while around 346m phones lie unused in Ireland, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands, with around 112m fit for refurbishment, according to Refurbed's 2024 sustainability report. The Refurbed report said that recovering these handsets could avoid 7.1m tonnes of carbon dioxide, 2.7bn litres of water and 16,800 tonnes of e-waste. Vodafone has 80 retail units in Ireland, and employs 2,000 people across its stores and Dublin headquarters.