DNA’s Vaihtohyvitys exchange service is also constantly being developed, listening to customers’ wishes. With the now opened Vaihtakapula online store, DNA will also start selling used phones. The address of the new online store is vahtokapula.fi.
Electronic waste is the world’s largest growing waste stream. In addition, cell phones contain a lot of valuable precious metals; the carbon footprint of their extraction is considerable. Increasing recyclability is one of the key ways to get closer to climate goals.
“If a mobile phone is used for about three years, studies have shown that about 80% of its greenhouse emissions are generated in the manufacture of the phone and the procurement of raw materials. By extending the life of the phone by just one year, its carbon footprint is reduced by about a third. Small actions actually have big consequences,” says Mikko Valtonen who is the manager responsible for the Vaihtokapula business.
The supply chains and product flow of the new service are designed to be cost-effective, and the environment is a primary concern. For example, more than 60 strong stores, the DNA Store network and existing logistics services are utilized in the distribution of phones. Chargers and protective equipment for phones are not included in the package; they are easy to buy if needed, when the phone is picked up from DNA Kaupa.
Until now, Finnish used phone stores have focused heavily on Apple iPhones. In Finland, however, Apple only has about 20% of the market share, so a considerable part of Finns is outside the target group. One of Vaihtakapula’s key business ideas is to also bring Android phones to the used phone market. Unlike many competitors, Vaihtakapula’s selection also includes very affordable 100-200 euro phones.
“There are still certain friction factors in the circular economy of mobile phones in Finland. Finding and buying a suitable phone from online stores is not always easy, and inexpensive used Androids have not been available from online stores much. This was the starting point for rolling up our sleeves and developing our new service with the customer in mind,” sums up Valtonen.
The market for used phones is growing rapidly, according to IDC research, it is growing even faster than the market for new mobile phones. DNA’s customer surveys show that one of the factors slowing down the circular economy of smartphones is the fear and uncertainty associated with used mobile phones.
“Unfortunately, scams also happen online. In addition, many people wonder if someone can access their information if they sell their old mobile phone. The mission of the exchange is to make buying and selling a used phone easy and safe,” says Valtonen.
All used phones in the Vaihtakapula online store go through a strict process. In addition to the three-stage condition classification, all data and a comprehensive detailed fault analysis are removed from each phone. The phone’s microphone, sensors, connections, antennas and screen pixel errors are also checked before the phone is sold. All devices for sale are in working order. The newest devices are sold with a 12-month warranty, and for older devices, the warranty can be purchased as an additional service.
HT
Source: DNA
Source: The Nordic Page