Rapid growth of the electrical and electronics equipment (EEE) sector has transformed modern life, enabling connectivity, productivity, and innovation on an unprecedented scale. This progress has, however, come with a significant environmental cost. Rising consumption patterns, short product lifecycles increase electronic waste (e-waste) and placed immense pressure on natural resources and waste management systems.   

According to an UNEP report - Global Resource Outlook 2024 report - resource consumption will outpace the Earth's replenishment capacity by 2050, with materials like biomass, fossil fuels, metals, and minerals set to double by 2060. The waste generation will increase by 50% by 2050, as per the World Bank's 'What a Waste 3.0' report published this year. For instance, producing one tonne of laptops can emit up to 10 tonnes of CO2, emphasizing the importance of resource-efficient production and recycled inputs.  

Data fuelled digital industrial revolution, shaping up global economy, necessitates a sustainable growth, which, emphasizes adoption of Circular Economy (CE). Longer life of products, waste reduction and circular business models etc. are imperatives to proliferate this economic growth to larger populations, wider participations. In this context, refurbishment emerges as a critical strategy to transition from a linear “take-make-dispose” model to a sustainable circular economy.   

Refurbishment restores used EEE to a functional, reliable, and often near-original condition. Unlike recycling, which breaks products down into raw materials, refurbishment preserves much of the product’s original value by extending its usable life. It plays a central role by keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible. It minimizes waste generation, reduces demand for virgin resources, and lowers the environmental footprint associated with manufacturing new products. 

Global EEE refurbished market has been expanding rapidly and now considers a key pillar of the circular economy. Refurbished electronics market, valued at USD 151.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 365.2 billion by 2034 (≈10.27% CAGR)  

Refurbishment also offers significant economic and social benefits. Refurbished products are affordable, makes technology accessible to a wider population and bridges the digital divide by enabling access to essential technologies for education and communication. Refurbishment creates employment opportunities in repair, logistics, quality testing, and resale markets. Businesses can tap into secondary markets, generate additional revenue streams while enhancing brand sustainability.   

Mitigating the critical mineral challenge is fundamental to achieving a circular economy in the EEE sector. Recycling is unable to retrieve entire minerals from the electronics products due to lack of viable advanced technologies, inadequate collection system and material traceability issue. Refurbishment, whereas, stands out as a high-impact, low-cost intervention that immediately reduces mineral demand. However, long-term resilience will depend on integrating circular design, advanced recycling, diversified supply chains, and strong policy frameworks.   

Opportunities and gaps  

Refurbishment is a professional job that involves inspection, cleaning, repair, replacement of defective components, software updates, and quality testing. Major bottleneck for quality refurbishment is technical skill deficiency including lack of trained manpower for diagnosing and repairing modern electronics (e.g., smartphones, IoT devices), knowledge of embedded systems, firmware updates, and software troubleshooting and component-level repair rather than basic replacements. 

 Despite its potential, the sector faces several other barriers. Electronic products are not designed for easy repair or refurbishment. Efficient collection, sorting, and reverse logistics systems are challenging a large-scale refurbishment operation. A large portion of repair and recycling is handled by the informal workers, who often lack formal training and access to modern tools. This leads to inefficiencies, safety risks, and lower recovery rates of valuables.  

Absence of standardized refurbishment protocols, inconsistent product quality reduces consumer trust in refurbished goods. Shortage of skilled professionals in reverse logistics, inventory management, weak integration between collection systems and refurbishment facilities are also challenging. It is estimated that ~8–10 million skilled workforce will be needed in refurbishment and recycling trade globally by 2030 with an existing skill gap of ~4–6 million workforce6.  

 To fully harness refurbishment as a pillar of the circular economy, coordinated efforts are needed. Manufacturers should adopt design principles that facilitate repair, upgrading, and refurbishment. Adequate policies and incentives are needed to trigger the growth of refurbishment ecosystems. Introduction of “right to repair,” extended producer responsibility, and tax incentives for refurbished products would be beneficial. Mandating global standards including R2v3 can build consumer trust and ensure consistent product performance. Investments in collection systems, refurbishment facilities, and reverse logistics are essential. 

 Refurbishment is not merely a waste management strategy, it is a transformative approach that redefines value creation in the EEE sector. By extending product lifecycles, reducing environmental impact, and enabling inclusive access to technology, refurbishment aligns economic growth with sustainability goals. As the world grapples with resource scarcity and environmental degradation, embracing refurbishment at scale is no longer optional—it is imperative.  

Dr. Sandip Chatterjee is a Senior Advisor at the Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI) and a former Group Coordinator at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.