Top 3 advantages of refurbished!
Buying refurbished goods is an increasingly popular practice in Belgium. Some stores (Fnac, Mediamarkt, etc.) are getting into the resale of refurbished items themselves. And this is only natural, as refurbished products have quite a few positive points. But what are the advantages of buying refurbished? And how, in Belgium, can we combine savings, ecology, and support for local impact actors?
If your devices are a bit broken or damaged, why not have them repaired before buying new ones? Meet My Job, Belgium's leading recruitment platform dedicated to sustainable development, features companies and associations whose DNA matches these challenges: circular economy, repair, second life for products, and responsible finance.
It is economical
It is well known that when an item is resold, it is often cheaper! That is precisely why buying refurbished is practical in everyday life.
Buying for less
The primary advantage everyone thinks of: savings! Indeed, buying refurbished very often means buying for less (or even much less) than the original price. For certain items, discounts can even reach -50%, or even -70%!
On refurbished smartphones, savings generally range between 20 and 40% below the price of an equivalent new one, and even more on older generations.
On certain PCs and high-tech devices, prices can be up to 60–70% cheaper than new ones, particularly as the back-to-school season approaches or during special promotional events.
Over time, this represents serious savings, which are useful for buying other items! In short, in the long run, buying refurbished is something to be seriously considered on a daily basis. Imagine how much you could save over several years!
Making money by selling
Still on the subject of money, refurbished goods are also very practical for actively earning some. How? By selling your old electronic devices that you no longer use!
Rather than letting your old laptop or phone gather dust, have them checked by professionals. They will give you a price to take back your electronic items (or, at the very least, certain reusable parts). This way, you earn money while clearing up space at home. Practical, isn't it?
In 2026, the average trade-in price for a smartphone in Belgium hovers around 189 € depending on the model and condition, with peaks during the "Apple Back-to-School" period following the release of new iPhones.
It is ecological
We are not talking here about a trend or a "passing fad": the climate emergency is very real, and the tech sector is part of the problem. In 2024, digital companies reported 301 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions (representing 0.8% of global energy-related emissions), up 1.2% compared to 2023, largely driven by the boom in artificial intelligence and data centers.
The tech industry pollutes... especially before you even turn on the device
Contrary to what is often imagined, the environmental impact of a smartphone or computer does not come primarily from its use, but from its manufacturing. According to several studies (ADEME, Arcep, Atos), 75 to 85% of a phone's carbon footprint is generated before it is even turned on: extraction of rare metals, component production, assembly, transport.
Manufacturing a single new smartphone is equivalent to:
87 kg CO₂eq emitted into the atmosphere,
283 kg of raw materials extracted,
83,800 liters of water consumed.
For a standard laptop, approximately 79% of the carbon footprint (i.e., 338 kg CO₂eq) comes from manufacturing.
In other words: every time we replace a still-functional device with a new one, we validate a new and extremely polluting production chain.
Refurbished goods: a concrete lever in the face of the emergency
In this context, choosing refurbished is not a "nice" gesture: it is a political and climate act. Extending the lifespan of a device helps avoid most of the carbon embedded in the manufacturing of new equipment.
The figures speak for themselves:
A refurbished smartphone avoids 45 to 70 kg of CO₂eq compared to a new one, according to ADEME.
Over its full lifecycle, the carbon footprint of a refurbished phone is 93% lower than that of a new one (5.6 kg CO₂eq vs 85.2 kg CO₂eq).
Each additional year of use of a refurbished smartphone reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 87%, raw material extraction by 86%, and water consumption by 77% (equivalent to about 315 showers saved per year).
On a collective scale, the impact becomes massive: in France, 4.2 million refurbished smartphones sold in 2025 helped avoid approximately 200,000 tonnes of CO₂ in one year.
Consumers: we are actors of change
Faced with a tech industry whose emissions are increasing (Google, Microsoft, and Amazon saw their emissions jump by hundreds of millions of tonnes between 2025 and 2026 under the effect of AI), every choice counts.
Buying refurbished means:
Rejecting the logic of "always newer, always faster".
Reducing the demand for new devices, and therefore the pressure on supply chains and the extraction of rare metals.
Sending a clear signal to the market: sustainability and the second life of products are priority purchasing criteria.
In Belgium, initiatives like Composil show that this model can be applied far beyond high-tech, in B2B and construction materials.
Refurbished goods are not a miracle solution, but they are one of the most powerful and accessible levers to take concrete action on our digital footprint. In the face of the climate emergency, every extended device is a victory.
It is secure
Refurbished goods cause concern, leaving some people skeptical, but have no fear: one of the advantages of refurbished products is their secure side!
Being insured
Unlike second-hand purchases, refurbished products have the advantage of (often) coming with a warranty. Indeed, you have insurance and the possibility of returning the product and/or having it checked by contacting customer service or the seller directly.
This is generally not the case when buying at a flea market or on Facebook Marketplace. Here is therefore another advantage of refurbished goods: you are legally protected when there is a problem (depending on the websites you buy from, of course).
On the main platforms:
Back Market: 12-month commercial warranty provided by the seller, return possible within 30 days, battery guaranteed at 85% minimum (90% on Premium devices).
Recommerce (via Telenet in Belgium): 3-year warranty, 30 days to change your mind, free delivery.
Swappie (refurbished MacBooks in Belgium): 12–24 month warranty depending on offers, 14 days to change your mind.
Buying items checked by professionals
If you buy in the right places, there is a strong chance that refurbished devices have been checked by professionals. This adds a reassuring aspect to the purchase.
Indeed, what is usually frightening about refurbished goods is the uncertainty regarding the appearance/performance of the device. However, when refurbished items are put up for sale, they are very often approved/checked by professionals beforehand (for example, we can cite the case of Back Market, which has all its devices, of all types, checked before they are featured on the site).
Local actors of refurbished goods and the circular economy
Meet My Job features companies and associations whose DNA matches the challenges of refurbished goods and the circular economy. Here are some examples of local actors to follow:
Composil – circular carpet "made in Belgium"
Based in Wavre, Composil transforms professional carpets into a new resource for the circular economy. Carpet tiles from offices are dismantled, sorted, cleaned, refurbished, and then reinstalled elsewhere, thus escaping the incinerator.
This approach perfectly illustrates how refurbished goods can be applied beyond high-tech, in B2B and construction materials.
Mundo-Lab – eco-responsible office centre
Mundo-Lab offers eco-responsible workspaces in Brussels, integrating the principles of the circular economy into the management of offices and equipment.
By choosing partners like Mundo-Lab, Meet My Job supports models that prioritize the second life of items and waste reduction.
Triodos – responsible finance
Triodos, an ethical bank present on MMJ, finances positive-impact projects, including in the fields of the circular economy and the ecological transition.
Their role is crucial in supporting companies that develop refurbished and repair solutions in Belgium.
BeCode – inclusive tech training
BeCode trains tomorrow's digital talents, with an inclusive approach rooted in market realities.
Their programs may include modules on repair, refurbished goods, and the circular economy, thus preparing future generations for these challenges.
Funds For Good – reasoned capitalism
Funds For Good is an impact company based on a model of reasoned capitalism, seeking to demonstrate that it is possible to develop a professional and sustainable financial activity while having a positive impact.
Their approach complements the ecosystem of refurbished goods by financially supporting local impact initiatives.
Conclusion: why choose refurbished goods in Belgium?
Here are the main advantages of refurbished goods: substantial savings (up to 70%), positive ecological impact (reduction of electronic waste, curbing planned obsolescence), increased security (warranties, checks by professionals), and support for a dynamic local ecosystem (renovation aid, social economy, actors of refurbished goods).
However, as with everything, you must remain cautious and buy responsibly. The next time you need to spend your money, instead of rushing into the first store you find, think about turning to refurbished goods!
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