When assessing the environmental benefits of buying refurbished electronics, we should look beyond marketing slogans at concrete data. A landmark lifecycle assessment (LCA) study conducted by Fraunhofer Austria on behalf of refurbed provides verifiable figures. In this guide, we explain how the CO2 savings are calculated and what the numbers mean for devices like iPhones and MacBooks.
How Much CO2 Does a Refurbished Smartphone Actually Save?
Using the iPhone 11 (64 GB) as a reference, the Fraunhofer study reveals concrete data: a newly manufactured model results in a carbon footprint of approximately 72 kg of CO2 equivalents. In contrast, an identical model refurbished by refurbed accounts for just 15.7 kg — a significant 78% reduction. The refurbishment process itself (cleaning, component replacement, and quality testing) only adds about 2.8 kg of CO2 — a tiny fraction of the manufacturing footprint.
Water consumption tells a similar story: roughly 12,075 liters of water are needed to build a new iPhone, compared to only 1,695 liters for the refurbishment process — resulting in an 86% saving.
Why Does the Manufacturing Phase Account for the Bulk of Emissions?
For electronics, the vast majority of environmental impact — approximately 80% — is generated during the initial production phase. Raw material extraction, intensive semiconductor chip fabrication, assembly, and global components shipping are extremely carbon-intensive. In contrast, active usage and end-of-life disposal represent much smaller shares. Extending the lifespan of an existing device is therefore disproportionately more effective at preventing emissions than recycling components at the end of their lifecycle.
How Do Carbon Savings Vary Across Different Device Types?
The Fraunhofer study audited multiple electronics categories and found savings ranging from 69% (Lenovo ThinkPad T460) to 83% (Apple MacBook Air 2017), depending on the complexity of manufacturing compared to refurbishment.
What is the Methodology Behind These Calculations?
The study is based on a structured Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of reference products. The calculations account for transport paths, the carbon footprint of replacement parts, and the electricity consumed during usage. Additionally, refurbed-associated merchants were surveyed regarding their energy mix and whether items were actually repaired or only cosmetically cleaned.
Does Every Refurbished Device Save the Same Amount of Carbon?
Not necessarily. The real footprint reduction depends heavily on the quality and depth of the refurbishment. A superficial cosmetic polish without technical checks does not yield the same outcome as a rigorous, multi-step diagnostics and repair workflow. We compare how quality standards vary across different platforms in our [refurbished laptop buying guide](/de/ratgeber/refurbished-laptop-kaufen-worauf-achten).