90 Million old cell phones are forgotten in the homes of Brazilians

Has an old cell phone working, but not used? This is a common situation in Brazil, where more than 90 million old devices remain stored in the houses, according to a survey by Opinion Box. The most recent study, released in 2024, reveals that 63% of Brazilians keep at least one old and functional cell phone stored at home. 

Exchanges, specialized in the purchase and sale of new smartphones in Brazil, is committed to the growth of the program ExchangeEasy, which offers discounts of up to R$ 4 thousand in the acquisition of new devices by exchanging old cell phones. The company emphasizes the importance of promoting the culture of resale and donation of these devices that, in addition to contributing to sustainability, allows consumers to profit or pay less when purchasing a new cell phone.

How it works?

The Trocafone, a pioneer in the segment, performs the capture, processing and marketing of the devices. The process begins with a safety assessment to verify the legal provenance of the received phones.Then the devices undergo reconditioning steps, which include functionality tests, replacement of defective components, software update and cleaning. The company has already sold between 800 and 1000 devices per day, totaling about 30 thousand units sold per month.

One of the ways to give a new destination to the old cell phone is through exchange programs offered by stores and brands at the time of purchase of a device. “Our trade-in model is a practical example of how the consumer can reuse their old device at the time of exchange.We know that new models of smartphones will continue to emerge, as well as new needs, but there are ways to mitigate the environmental impact, especially in relation to the improper disposal of electronic waste”, says Flavio Peres, CEO of Trocafone. 

In addition to the exchange programs, it is possible to generate an extra income by selling the device directly on the channels of the Exchange, both through the online store and through the company's kiosks.“The consumer selects the brand, model and condition of the mobile phone, receives an offer and decides whether to continue with the transaction. The differential is that there is no need to worry about delivery, because our team removes the device at the customer's home or in a combined location”, explains Flavio. 

“The process is safe and has free shipping, without the need to leave the house. That forgotten cell phone in the drawer can still be useful for someone else, promoting digital inclusion”, concludes the CEO.