The environmental impact of reusing iPhones: a case study looking into the environmental benefits of reusing iPhones through Twig

Abstract

The use of smartphones worldwide is rapidly growing and thereby their contribution to their impact on the environment. This study investigates the environmental impact of reusing iPhones through Twig. Twig is a company that facilitates the reuse of electronics and other products via an app to increase circularity, decrease waste, and increase sustainability awareness. By using an attributional LCA approach and considering different consumer scenarios, the environmental impact of iPhone reuse was analyzed. The study explains in which scenarios it might be environmentally beneficial to give the iPhone a second life or when to buy a new phone. In societal terms, the study’s findings are useful to raise awareness about the benefits of reuse and highlight the influence of smartphone usage impacts.