How Many Phones Are Collecting Dust?
European households are sitting on over 200 million unused mobile phones. On average, every household in Europe has 4–5 unused electronic devices, and phones are by far the most common item.
Zooming in on Sweden, this translates to an estimated 11 million phones lying idle in homes. Many of them are still functional, while others could easily be repaired or refurbished to live a second life.
Why Do We Hold On to Old Phones?
Studies point to several reasons why people don’t sell or recycle their phones:
Emotional attachment – our phones store personal memories, photos, and messages.
Backup mentality – people keep old devices “just in case” their new one breaks.
Data security concerns – fear that personal data might not be erased properly.
Perceived low value – many assume their old phone isn’t worth much anymore.
The reality? Even older iPhones and smartphones can be worth thousands of SEK on the resale market. And secure recycling solutions ensure data is completely wiped.
The Economic Potential of Drawer Phones
If every household in the EU decided to sell or recycle just one unused phone, that would put hundreds of millions of devices back into circulation. For Sweden alone, this could free up a hidden value of tens of billions of SEK in resale potential.
For consumers, that means:
Extra cash in your pocket (the average payout at Vent kiosks is around 2,500 SEK).
Less clutter at home.
Contributing directly to the circular economy.
The Environmental Potential
Unused phones aren’t just a financial opportunity – they’re also an environmental one. Smartphones contain valuable raw materials like gold, cobalt, and rare earth elements. Mining these resources has a huge environmental impact, from CO₂ emissions to toxic waste.
By bringing idle devices back into the system, we can:
Reduce e-waste, the fastest-growing waste stream in the EU.
Lower demand for mining, protecting ecosystems and reducing carbon emissions.
Promote circularity, where devices are reused, refurbished, or recycled instead of discarded.
Turning Potential Into Action
So how do we unlock the hidden power of these drawer phones?
Consumers: Don’t let your old iPhone sit unused – sell it, recycle it, or donate it.
Businesses: Make trade-ins and recycling as seamless as possible.
Regulators: Support initiatives that raise awareness and make it easier to reintroduce devices into circulation.
Conclusion
The phones sitting in our drawers aren’t worthless junk – they’re a hidden goldmine. If Sweden and the EU can bring even a fraction of these unused devices back into circulation, it could dramatically boost the refurbished smartphone industry while cutting down on e-waste.
Call-to-action: Got an old iPhone collecting dust? Sell it instantly at a Vent kiosk and get paid on the spot with Swish – while helping to build a more sustainable future.
