Think Inside the Box: Enabling Circularity with the Smartphone Collection Box 2.0
Around 195 million obsolete mobile phones are currently lying idle in German households. This is according to a 2025 study by Bitkom. Although this figure has fallen by around 15 million devices since 2022, the untapped potential remains substantial. Every smartphone contains valuable raw materials such as gold, silver and rare earths, which can be returned to the circular economy.
At the same time, smartphones are used for an average of around 24 months, even though many devices remain fully functional from a technical standpoint. This is precisely where Interzero offers a simple and free solution for businesses: the Smartphone Collection Box. It supports the systematic collection and reuse of end-of-life devices and makes a measurable contribution to conserving resources.
Following its successful deployment in numerous companies and institutions across Germany, both the design and functionality of the collection box have been further enhanced. From 2026 onwards, it will deliver even greater impact for environmental and resource protection.
Proven Impact
The environmental benefits of reuse are well documented. A study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT shows that extending the useful life of a smartphone saves an average of around 34.7 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions. This equates to approximately 37 per cent fewer emissions compared with a single, conventional product life cycle.
Companies that help extend the lifespan of devices through the collection box receive a “resources SAVED” certificate. This transparently documents the individual savings achieved and can be used for sustainability communications and reporting purposes.
Every Smartphone Counts: From a Free Collection Box to Measurable Environmental Protection
With the Smartphone Collection Box, companies can easily collect both employees’ private end-of-life devices and company-owned smartphones. Delivery and collection of the free boxes are managed conveniently via a digital ordering portal.
The new generation of the collection box offers several key enhancements:
- Larger compartments, ensuring that even the latest smartphone models can be stored securely and protected during transport.
- Extended return packaging, enabling tablets to be collected and shipped safely in addition to smartphones.
- A replaceable topper, allowing for customised design and branding – ideal for long-term or large-scale collection campaigns.
After collection, Interzero prepares the devices professionally for reuse, drawing on more than 20 years of experience in IT remarketing. The process includes thorough cleaning, functional testing and certified data erasure. The devices are then given a second life, for example via the refurbished IT online shop gebrauchte-technik.de.
Collect, Donate, Make an Impact
The Smartphone Collection Box combines environmental impact with social responsibility. Prior to launching a collection campaign, each participating organisation can determine which social or sustainability initiative it wishes to support. Fifty per cent of the resale value of the collected devices (after deduction of transport and packaging costs) is donated.
The tangible impact is illustrated by an example from 2025: In September alone, Caritasverband Nürnberger Land and Caritasverband of the Archdiocese of Bamberg collected around 60 smartphones. The generated revenue was donated for a child protection centre in Thiès, Senegal.
Small Box, Big Impact
With the new Smartphone Collection Box, Interzero enables companies and organisations of all sizes to engage with the circular economy easily – without additional organisational effort. The combination of efficient logistics, professional remarketing, measurable environmental benefits and social value makes the collection box a powerful tool for embedding sustainable practices in everyday business operations.
Those who wish to order the collection box can register free of charge at sammel-box.de.
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