Stage 1: Production & First Use
New phones are manufactured using mined materials and energy-intensive processes then purchased and used by consumers.
Sustainability
Why Sustainability Matters in Tech
Every smartphone begins with a measurable environmental impact.
The extraction of raw materials—like cobalt, lithium, and rare earth metals—relies on resource-intensive mining processes. Manufacturing a single smartphone generates an estimated 55–95 kg of CO₂e, primarily from energy-intensive production and global shipping.1
At Mobile Klinik, we strive to find a more sustainable approach. Many smartphones are used for just a few years before being replaced, contributing to over 725,000 tonnes of electronic waste annually across the country.2 Each time someone repairs their device or opts for a certified pre-owned (CPO) phone instead of buying new, it extends the device’s lifespan and helps reduce emissions and demand for newly mined materials.3
That’s why, for us, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a commitment. It’s embedded in how we operate every day, helping reduce e-waste and shrink the carbon footprint of mobile technology, one phone at a time.
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Mobile Klinik’s
CPO Lifecycle
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Stage 2: Trade-In & Collection
When no longer wanted, devices enter Mobile Klinik’s process through customer trade-ins or safe, secure in-store recycling drop-offs.
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Stage 3: Repair & Refurbishment
Each device is inspected and tested by our technicians to determine if it can be refurbished for resale or must be responsibly recycled
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Stage 4: Recycling & Redistribution
Viable phones are refurbished and certified pre-owned, while end-of-lie devices are recycled for parts.
Environmentally-Friendly Repair Options That Make a Difference
When your phone has issues, tossing it shouldn’t be your first instinct. Choosing to repair instead of replace can significantly lower your environmental impact.
On average, repairing your phone reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 35.3% and waste by 38.8% compared to replacing it with a new one.4
Whether it’s a cracked screen or sluggish battery, getting a quick, reliable fix from our technicians when possible helps keep your device in your hands longer and out of the landfill.
We make it easy to help stay sustainable with services like battery replacement and tablet repair, available at convenient locations across Canada.
Repair isn’t just better for the planet—it’s better for your wallet and your digital life, too.
The Certified Pre-Owned Advantage
Going pre-owned is one of the smartest and most sustainable decisions you can make.
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74.9%
Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
On average, buying a certified pre-owned smartphone reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an impressive 74.9% compared to buying a new phone.5
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62.5 kg
CO₂e saved
That’s the equivalent of avoiding 62.5 kg CO₂e, or what three spruce trees absorb in a year.6
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823 kg
Of waste prevented
It requires only 65 kg of waste to refurbish versus 888 kg to manufacture a new device.6
Every phone in our certified pre-owned collection undergoes a 64-point inspection, so you can feel confident that you’re not just making a sustainable choice.
For more on how opting for CPO supports the environment, check out our blog on sustainable smartphone shopping.
Built-In Sustainability Through Technology
From our diagnostics to our testing tools, Mobile Klinik is committed to keeping devices in circulation longer through smart, reliable tech.
Our partnership with Apkudo allows every phone to be tested using advanced diagnostic technology to ensure consistent, high-quality refurbishment results.
With our Device Check-Up App, customers can identify problems early and act quickly, helping keep minor issues from turning into reasons to replace a device.
We’re not just repairing phones, we’re building a more circular tech economy.
Industry-Recognized Environmental Standards
Our commitment to sustainable electronics is backed by R2v3 certification—a leading standard for responsible reuse and recycling of used devices.
This certification recognizes our processes for safe handling, testing, refurbishment, and end-of-life recycling. It means we meet strict requirements for environmental responsibility, worker health and safety, and data security at applicable certified facilities.
We’re proud to be part of a global movement that’s raising the bar for sustainability in tech.
The R2v3 Certification Mark is a registered certification mark of SERI. Any unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. https://sustainableelectronics.org
Greener Tech Starts with You
Your smartphone has the potential to go further than you think. When you repair, resell, or recycle your device, you’re helping shape a more sustainable future for tech.
At Mobile Klinik, we make those decisions easier. From eco-friendly phone repair to high-quality refurbished options, everything we do is built around reducing waste, lowering emissions, and keeping great devices in use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! When you choose to repair your phone instead of replacing it, you’re making a powerful, environmentally-friendly decision. On average repairs can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35.3% and electronic waste by 38.8% compared to buying new.7 It’s a small change with a big impact. Extending the life of your phone also helps reduce demand for the raw materials and energy needed to manufacture new devices. At Mobile Klinik, our expert technicians help keep phones working longer, saving your tech and contributing to a healthier planet.
A certified pre-owned phone is one that’s been professionally refurbished to meet high-quality and performance standards. At Mobile Klinik, each device goes through a 64-point inspection that covers everything from battery health to screen responsiveness. We replace any faulty components and test the device thoroughly. It’s a smart way to get a reliable phone, without the environmental cost of buying new.
Yes. Many Mobile Klinik locations offer responsible recycling services for old or broken devices. If your phone is beyond repair, we’ll make sure it’s safely and properly recycled to keep hazardous materials out of landfills. Ask your local store team how to drop off your device and do your part for the planet.
We’re here to help in-store and online. Visit your nearest Mobile Klinik location to chat with a team member about trade-ins, recycling, and repair options. You can also explore our Sell Your Phone page or the CPO FAQ for more details on certified pre-owned devices.
Footnotes
1. Based on Apple’s 2023 Environmental Progress Report, an estimated 81% of an iPhone 14’s carbon footprint comes from production, including raw material extraction and manufacturing. The report highlights the significant environmental impact that occurs before a device even reaches the customer.
2. According to Statistics Canada’s 2022 Waste Management Industry Survey, Canadians generate over 725,000 tonnes of electronic waste annually, underscoring the national scale of the e-waste challenge and the importance of repair and reuse in reducing that volume.
3. The United Nations University’s Global E-waste Monitor provides a global overview of e-waste trends, including estimates of average smartphone lifespan and how shortened device use contributes to mounting global e-waste volumes.
4. All repair statistics are for one smartphone, with the repair extending the life to 4.5 years.. Applicable to the raw material extraction and manufacturing process.
5. One certified pre-owned device during raw material extraction and manufacturing reduces more greenhouse gas emissions, when compared to a new smartphone.
6. Applicable to the raw material extraction and manufacturing process
7. All repair statistics are for one smartphone, with the repair extending the life to 4.5 years. Applicable to the raw material extraction and manufacturing process. Raw materials are mined, processed, and assembled into new smartphones before global distribution.
