More than half of Belgians hold onto their old smartphones instead of parting with them, new government data shows.
According to figures released on Monday by the Federal Public Service Economy, 52.6% of Belgians store their outdated smartphones in drawers or cupboards.
This is slightly higher than the European average of 51.2%. Only one in five desktop computers is stowed away, while over a third of Belgians hesitate to part with their old laptops or tablets.
Those Belgians who do dispose of their devices usually choose to recycle them. When it comes to recycling, Belgium ranks second in Europe, just behind the Netherlands.
"These figures illustrate that Belgians are good at recycling their devices compared to the European average, but they are far less likely to resell them," said Lien Meurisse, spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy.
Belgium is at the bottom of Europe’s resale rankings, with only 12% of mobile phones and 6% of desktop computers sold on for a second life. "Reselling extends the lifespan of devices and reduces the demand for new raw materials," Meurisse explained.
When buying new electronics, only a minority of Belgians prioritise durability. Just under 5% of Belgian consumers consider sustainability the most important factor when purchasing a smartphone, laptop, or computer. Across the EU, this figure stands at 9.5%.
For two-thirds of Belgian buyers, price is the primary factor, followed by brand, size, and design when selecting ICT products. This attitude stands in stark contrast to the growing global emphasis on sustainability and reducing e-waste.
