Rent technology instead of buying new
14.07.2023 – The camera quality has been improved by worlds; all processes have been optimized. The screen is around three times bigger and has correspondingly more pixels. Harder, better, faster, stronger - that's how cell phones are marketed these days, and every few months anew. So while you click through the endless range of new phone models, it's easy to forget that the phone you're using is usually less than a year old before it ends up in a drawer along with its predecessor. But are there any environmentally friendly alternatives to this consumer behavior?
A blog post by Juliette Arnaud, intern in KC Corporate Communications at Stadtwerke Offenbach
The possibilities for buying and procuring mobile devices in an at least reasonably environmentally friendly way are endless; from refurbished second-hand smartphones to repairs and upgrades to exchange programs offered by the providers themselves, there is something for everyone. I have also looked into renting technology, which has many advantages for the user as well as the environment.
Costs
A survey on the age of smartphones in use in Germany in 2023 found that 55% of respondents had only been using their cell phone for 12 months or less. This indicates that many people only use their cell phone for a very short time before buying a new one. In the case of temporary or infrequent use, it is therefore worth renting a smartphone, as the rental price is often cheaper than the purchase price, especially for cameras, laptops and home theater systems.
However, if you want to use a device for a longer period of time, the total cost of renting could be higher in the long term than buying the device itself.
Responsibility
Of course, the renter is also responsible for ensuring that nothing happens to the device in question that could damage it or even disable it. Nevertheless, renting a cell phone, for example, automatically insures it at your own expense - and whose own cell phone is insured these days? In addition, the landlord will take care of maintenance and repairs in the event of damage, which of course saves the user time.
Flexibility
Even if the availability of devices when renting is not unlimited and rarer devices can be sold out quickly, you can also benefit from the limited commitment, as you are not tied to one decision. For example, if you needed many different lenses for a camera, you could simply rent it - and if the lens didn't meet your expectations, it wouldn't be a problem under the circumstances. However, if you do decide to use a device for a long period of time because it has advantages for you for various reasons, you can try out the latest technology beforehand by renting and thus avoid possible disappointments. It's also worth noting that you can rent pretty much anything these days - cell phones, headphones, game consoles and even drones.
Environmental factors
Of course, the additional transportation and packaging create further burdens for the environment that would not normally occur (without rentals), but CO2 emissions are also saved in many places. By reusing and recycling electronic devices, raw materials, water and energy are saved and the need for new production is reduced. Repair and maintenance, which is preferred to buying new, also extends the service life; in addition, rental providers tend to select and offer energy-efficient devices, as these cause lower operating costs in the long term - the pleasant side effect of this is a reduced ecological footprint.
To summarize: Renting tech may not be for everyone, but for the average tech user (which is almost all of us these days), it comes with many benefits.
Tip: Library of things
Everyday objects and devices that you don't need every day can be borrowed from the city library's Library of Things.
If you have any questions about resources and waste, the staff at the resources and waste advisory service will be happy to help you.