Rethinking Mobile Phones
The business case for circularity

Consumer trends, regulatory requirements, and growing impacts of e-waste are converging to challenge the traditional linear business model of the mobile phone industry. While offering short-term revenues, linear models are costly for consumers and require vast energy and mineral resources to maintain and contribute to the growing e-waste problem.

Circular business models are gaining traction in the mobile industry and beyond, and offer many commercial opportunities and benefits, including lower costs, new revenue opportunities and customer loyalty. Yet, transitioning to a circular economy is complex and requires buy-in and collaboration across the value chain.

This report presents the business case for why and how mobile phones can – and should – move towards circularity.