Founded in 2019 during the first Covid lockdown by Phil Kemish and Matt Thorne, Reboxed aims to rehome 100 million devices and shift consumer perspectives towards secondhand electronics. Originally launched as a direct-to-consumer marketplace for tech, Reboxed expanded its offerings after retailers sought their expertise, creating a suite of services to revolutionise how brands manage recommerce and turn returns into profit.

ReboxedOS provides an all-in-one ‘Circularity-as-a-Service’ solution, allowing businesses to integrate resale, trade-in, and recycling programmes without needing to develop their own infrastructure. Key services include:

• Restore: Co-branded resale platforms
• Recirculate: Digital and in-store trade-in programmes
• Rebox: Returns, repair, and refurbishment solutions
• ReGenerate: Tools to measure sustainability impact and commercial performance

Reboxed has already partnered with telecom companies like Three Mobile to launch refurbished technology offerings for SMARTY customers, as well as with Lebara Mobile and Airtime Rewards to expand circular economy solutions.

As recommerce grows 16 times faster than traditional retail, the shift towards sustainable and affordable purchasing options is evident. In 2023, a quarter of all mobile phones sold in the UK were second-hand or refurbished, reflecting a 19% increase from 2021. With e-waste being the fastest-growing waste stream globally, set to double by 2050, recommerce is gaining traction in the electronics sector, following in the footsteps of the fashion industry.

ReboxedOS empowers brands and retailers to embrace the circular economy, enhancing customer loyalty, increasing lifetime value, and driving revenue while achieving up to 50% savings on devices and reducing environmental impact.

Commenting on the launch of ReboxedOS, Phil Kemish, Co-Founder and CEO of Reboxed said: “With ReboxedOS, we're reducing tech waste and empowering brands to embrace circular commerce. By offering up to 50% savings on tech, brands can enhance customer lifetime value while promoting sustainability. As highlighted in our latest report, The Future of Circular Electronics, consumer demand for refurbished tech and trade-ins is outpacing traditional retail. Recommerce is now essential for brands to drive growth, engagement, and loyalty.”

Ollie Carrier, Senior Commercial Manager at Three Mobile added: “Reboxed has been instrumental in enhancing our customer engagement and sustainability efforts. Their solutions have not only extended our customer tenure but also delivered considerable environmental benefits.”

As the push for sustainable and circular business models intensifies, ReboxedOS is poised to make Circularity-as-a-Service a game-changer for businesses. This robust platform equips retailers and brands to fully harness the circular economy, offering a solution that not only boosts revenue but also strengthens customer loyalty and minimises environmental impact.

With 65% of Reboxed customers purchasing refurbished devices for the first time, and 57% of Gen Z factoring in resale value before buying new products, the market is ripe for transformation. To explore the advantages of recommerce further, download Reboxed’s Future of Circular Electronics Report 2024. This report is a key part of Reboxed's broader mission to provide brands with the tools and technology to actively engage in the circular economy.

Recommerce in consumer electronics demands urgent attention, especially with e-waste projected to reach 82 million tonnes annually by 2030, according to the United Nations. However, if just 50% of UK consumers switched to refurbished devices in 2024, it could collectively save 63,750,000 kg of carbon emissions.

Matt Thorne, Co-founder of Reboxed stated: "Recommerce is the key to unlocking a more sustainable future for brands. We’re really excited to build the next evolution of recirculation of electronics, innovating the old school trade-in and e-commerce technology to put re-commerce front and centre of the user experience. This can really drive customer value extend the life of their products but also deepen their relationships with conscious consumers. Together, we can redefine value – one reboxed item at a time. It’s a win-win for businesses and the planet."