Digital CleanUp Day: Orange Luxembourg collects unused smartphones.

This week, from March 10 to 15, Orange is engaging with participating companies in the Digital CleanUp Day, coordinated by IMS, to collect the many old smartphones that Luxembourg residents accumulate at home. Recycling these unused devices directly contributes to reducing the environmental impact of digital technology.

The Digital CleanUp Day will take place on March 15. For its first edition, this initiative, overseen in the Grand Duchy by "IMS Luxembourg – Inspiring More Sustainability," invites us to reflect on the impact of our digital usage and habits on the environment.

Raising awareness of the digital impact

During this week, from March 10 to 15, various actions are being carried out across the country, particularly within companies, to contribute to more responsible digital practices. "Digital technology plays an increasingly important role in our lives. We are using more and more online services. Connected devices are multiplying around us," notes Barbara Fangille, Head of Brand, Communication and ESG at Orange Luxembourg. "In a context of growing digitalization, it is also important to raise awareness among users about the impacts of technology on the environment and to encourage responsible usage, which can take the form of data cleaning or recycling of devices."

Collecting numerous unused devices

The Luxembourg operator is taking advantage of this week surrounding the Digital CleanUp Day to invite many Luxembourg employees to participate in a major sorting operation. Orange Luxembourg offers participating companies in the Digital CleanUp Day, through IMS, as well as any interested companies, to collect old smartphones and electronic devices from their employees for recycling.

One in two residents keeps old electronic devices

According to the results of a recent survey conducted by ILRES for the Luxembourg Administration of the Environment regarding the practice of "hoarding," 7 out of 10 residents keep electrical or electronic devices at home that they no longer use. One in two retains their telecommunication devices (such as smartphones, phones, computers, tablets). Among those who practice hoarding, 42% estimate they keep between 1 and 5 devices, 22% between 6 and 10, and 36% more than 10.

Reducing waste, minimizing environmental footprint

The ambition, shared at the European level, is to promote the collection of these items to enable their recycling. "The materials contained in these devices can be repurposed and used, for example, in the manufacturing of new smartphones. This initiative should help reduce the need for mineral extraction necessary for the production of new devices and, consequently, CO2 emissions," adds Barbara Fangille. "As an operator, we are stakeholders in the lifecycle management of these devices. Through our 'Re' program, we implement a range of actions to recover, refurbish, repair, or recycle devices on the market." The organization of the Digital CleanUp Day provides an opportunity to further raise user awareness of these issues.

Large collection and awareness-raising

During these five days, within participating companies, collections of old equipment and awareness-raising activities will be carried out by the teams at Orange Luxembourg. "The collected equipment will then be entrusted to our partners who, in Luxembourg, facilitate their recycling by separating components and sorting elements. This way, they can be sent to appropriate treatment centers, particularly for pollutants or for repurposing," adds Barbara Fangille.

In addition to this collection and recycling action, Orange Luxembourg offers, at its shops, the buyback of smartphones that are still in working condition to allow for their refurbishment and resale.