The world’s tech habits are changing. When their phones break or get old, people are now more likely to fix them instead of throwing them away. A recent survey of 10,000 people across several countries, including 2,000 in Spain, found a shift in how people think about their devices.
In Spain, 49% of those surveyed have either fixed their devices or taken them to be repaired. This puts Spain among the top countries when it comes to device repair, alongside the UK (48%) and Germany (37%). Globally, 83% of respondents said they’ve considered fixing their devices, but many feel they lack the necessary skills.
Spaniards Keep Devices Longer
The survey also found that Spaniards tend to keep their smartphones for longer. About 86% use theirs for three to five years, and 35% keep them for over five years. By comparison, the global average for keeping smartphones for over five years is 50%. When it comes to laptops, Spaniards again lead the way: 95% use them for more than three years, and 81% for over five years, outpacing users in the UK and US (70%).
Despite this progress, there’s still room for improvement when it comes to practices like selling or trading in old devices. Only 38% of Spaniards have sold or given away their old devices, compared to a global average of 47%. This highlights an opportunity to promote more circular economy practices.
The environmental impact of tech is a growing concern. A significant 84% of Spaniards are worried about climate change, and 81% have personally experienced its effects. Most people (91%) understand the social and environmental costs of manufacturing new devices. However, many still believe the biggest environmental harm occurs when devices are thrown away, rather than during production. In reality, the production phase is the most polluting.
Reusing, repairing, and refurbishing devices can significantly reduce this impact. To encourage this, Back Market has partnered with iFixit, a US-based company that specializes in DIY device repair and provides repair tools and guides. Starting in April, Back Market users will have access to iFixit’s repair kits, tutorials, and resources. This collaboration is part of Back Market’s international campaign against “fast tech,” a model that promotes quick consumption and disposal of tech devices.
“Replacing devices constantly isn’t sustainable,” says Thibaud Hug de Larauze, CEO of Back Market. “We want consumers to feel empowered to make a change. Repairing is a powerful act in a world that pushes us to replace constantly. With iFixit, we’re making it easier than ever.”
The partnership was announced at a joint event in New York, where both companies shared their vision: to encourage consumers to keep their smartphones for at least five years and to push manufacturers and policymakers to make devices more repairable and sustainable.
The tech industry’s environmental footprint is substantial. Currently, it accounts for 4% of global carbon emissions – more than the aviation sector. Without change, this could rise to 14% by 2040. Most of this impact comes from device production: 80% of a smartphone’s carbon footprint is generated before it’s first used. With over a billion smartphones sold annually and 5.3 billion becoming waste in 2022 alone, e-waste is the world’s fastest-growing type of trash. Back Market is promoting a circular approach, where reusing, repairing, and refurbishing become the norm.