At HYLA, we often stress the important role mobile device trade-in has in helping to protect the environment. Just as important is having the right tools, like mobile apps, to help you continue to improve your sustainability efforts and decisions. There are many sustainability apps available that can help you be more environmentally conscious and enjoy a more sustainable life.

The second quarter of the year is typically the least active for new smartphone sales and thereby for trade-in and upgrade. This year has been no exception. In Q2 2021, U.S. consumers received  $571M through trade-in and upgrade programs. This was a sharp 253% increase over what was returned to consumers in Q2 2020 but was expected as there was the economic turndown during the same period in 2020 due to the pandemic. Comparing  quarter over quarter, we saw a 14% decrease from Q1 to Q2, which is slightly better than the 15% we see during normal circumstances.

Recently, the telecoms industry has seen a heightened focus on sustainability practices. While the advancement to 5G brings with it positive outcomes, and more connectivity and advancements in societies we had never imagined previously, there are also concerns around the environmental impact of the technology—both from an energy consumption perspective, but also because of the deluge of 3G and 4G/LTE devices it will bring, which could contribute significantly to the growing e-waste dilemma.

We are excited to share with you our expanded trends report coverage. Our quarterly reports now include data on devices turned in through Upgrade programs as well as Trade-in programs. This is reflected in the Top 5 Devices Received and Average Age of Device metrics. Other metrics, such as average trade-in value and money in consumers hands are based solely on Trade-in. We hope you find our quarterly report even more valuable.

The environmental burden of the disposal of mobile devices cannot be ignored. When consumers discard mobile devices because they are no longer in use, not only is it damaging to the environment, but the material that went into making the devices are wasted. According to one report, less than 20% of e-waste is properly recycled, and 80% of it ends up in landfills or is informally recycled.

Today is the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day, a global day of recognition designed to help people care for – and take care of – the environment. Across the world, 190 countries recognize Earth Day (there are only five that don’t) and over a billion people participate by planting trees, cleaning up litter, and donating to charitable causes.

The mobile market in Africa is about to enter a golden age. According to a recent report from the GSMA, Sub-Saharan Africa is set to have the world’s fastest growth in smartphone uptake, with 160 million new mobile subscribers by 2025.

From plastic to paper, cardboard to electronics, today, there are many ways we can recycle unwanted materials. But when it comes to recycling smartphones, when they’re no longer wanted, more often than not they are left in a drawer, and lay there, forgotten.

After months of planning and preparation, Mobile World Congress (MWC) now seems like a distant memory. With headlines and column inches over the past few months full of talk of 5G, 5G trials and 5G firsts, it comes as no surprise that the big focus for this year’s show was on the next generation of cellular technology.

What’s the first thing you think about when you’re trading in a mobile device? For most consumers, it’s the trade-in value. And with over $400 million returning to consumer hands each quarter, it’s understandable to focus on getting the most money possible for your old device.