What really happens to our old laptops, tablets and phones? 

We recently supported Recupel map how laptops, mobile phones and tablets circulate in Belgium: from first use to reuse, recycling or long-term storage.

A few things stood out

• A large share of devices, especially mobile phones, end up stored for years instead of being reused. Most of us have at least one forgotten phone in a drawer and they could all serve a second life.
• Data security, limited awareness of collection channels and (perceived) low financial incentives remain among the top barriers to collection.
• Traceability across several collection routes is still fragmented.
• Many devices are exported for reuse.

Why it matters

Extending the life of digital devices is one of the simplest ways to cut their environmental footprint especially if they re-enter the system at the right time. E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams, but these devices contain valuable materials. By improving reuse and collection, we can reduce waste and save critical resources.

RDC Environment’s recommendations

To improve collection and reuse rates, we propose actions such as:

• improving traceability across all collection channels,
• supporting faster collection of devices stored in households,
• strengthening consumer confidence in reuse (data wiping, transparency),
• aligning stakeholders to make collection simpler, clearer and more consistent.

RDC Environment stands ready to help your organization unlock the full potential of circular digital device management.