The figure: almost 25% of our electronic equipment sleeps in a cupboard

Who has never left an old smartphone lying around in a drawer? Statistically, not many people according to Arcep. The telecoms regulatory authority, also responsible for measuring the carbon footprint of our digital activities, has just published its new “Digital uses repository“in collaboration with Arcom and the component”Environment and digital” is rich in teaching.

After a few reminders on the consumption of internet boxes and the penetration of reconditioned mobiles on the smartphone market, the digital center of the two independent authorities discusses at length the volume of digital equipment placed on the market and that already in the hands of consumers.

Fewer devices, but more screens

Across all product categories identified, the volume of circulation decreases between 2021 and 2022. -3% for smartphones, -6% for televisions, -22% for laptops… French people renew their products less often. devices. A decline whichshould contribute to reducing the environmental footprint of terminal manufacturers“, specifies Arcep… except for one small detail.

If the volume of devices marketed decreases, the size of their screens increases and this criterion “has a significant influence on the environmental impacts of digital equipment over their entire life cycle“, specifies Arcep. Result, the drop in volume”could be offset in whole or in part by the increase in the size of the screens of the equipment which contributes to the increase in their impact“, notes the recently published repository.

25% of our gadgets are not used

Armed with this solid basis of analysis, Arcep and Arcom are therefore concerned to see that the number “digital equipment with screen” abandoned is increasing. Across the country, there are an average of 10.3 devices with screens per household. Unfortunately, only 7.9 are frequently used. Almost 25% of the electronic devices we have at home are therefore almost never used. A good number of smartphones, TVs, computers or smartwatches remain buried in our cupboards for a long time when they could be reinjected into the second-hand or reconditioned market.

“Encouraging the reuse of these devices is one of the levers for increasing the lifespan of terminals and thus limiting their environmental impact.“, notes Arcep which reminds in passing that “the equipment manufacturing phase […] represents 78% of the total“of their carbon footprint.

Of course, the phone comes first in this ranking with, on average, 0.6 unused devices per household. Next come televisions with 0.5 abandoned devices and computers with a rate of 0.4. Tablets, game consoles and watches are less left behind, even if thousands of devices were still happier at a reconditioner than gathering dust.

The smartphone case

Remember that, according to figures published by the Ecosystem organization in 2023, these 0.6 unused smartphones per household would in fact represent a mine of 46 million smartphones in total. 15% of these phones are 2 years old or less and 3 out of 4 are still functional. Perfect candidates for a second life. Even more so when we take into account that “36% of households have no intention of reusing their stored phone and say they are ready to part with it“.

If troubleshooting is cited as the No. 1 reason for keeping a working phone at home, we also note that 45% of the phones lying in our drawers are between 5 and 10 years old. Enough to barely tide over a few days while reinjected in due time into the second-hand circuit, these smartphones could have made people happy and even brought in a little money for their owners.

If you don’t know what to do with your phone, Ecosystem has set up a dedicated platform at jedonnemontelephone.fr which guides you through each step, emphasizing the precautions taken regarding the erasure of your personal data.