What happens to old phones and computers in Luxembourg

Despite mass digitalisation, the behaviour of Luxembourg residents towards outdated technology remains rather conservative. According to the latest STATEC data, the majority of citizens prefer not to get rid of old smartphones, tablets and laptops, but simply leave them lying around at home, even after buying new devices. This is especially characteristic of people aged 65-74 - 62% of them continue to keep their old phones.

Young people (16-24 years old) are also in no hurry to get rid of old gadgets - 73% said they keep their previous smartphone. However, unlike older generations, they very rarely resort to recycling: only 3% took their device to a recycling centre, while 20% of people over 55 did so.

Recycling of old computers is more common among the elderly: 32% of people 55 years and older have recycled their PCs, compared to 13% of the 16-24 age group. Thus, there is a clear age difference: the older generation tends to follow environmental recommendations, while the younger generation tends to hoard digital artefacts at home.

Price, operating speed and memory capacity remain the key criteria when buying equipment. 64% of respondents mentioned price as the main factor, especially for the 65-74 age group. For 25 to 34 year olds, technical features such as performance and storage capacity are in first place.

Environmental aspects such as energy efficiency, eco-design, life extension programmes or recycling from the manufacturer have so far played a minor role. Only 7% mentioned the importance of being able to extend the life of a device, and exchange programmes were of interest to 10% of respondents.

Consumer behaviour in this area has not changed much in recent years. People still tend to "hide" old appliances at home, perhaps for "just in case" reasons or because of a lack of convenient incentives for recycling.

There is a need for more education and motivation on the circular economy and proper e-waste recycling. For the young - convenient mechanisms for recycling, for the old - assurance that devices will not go to waste. In the meantime, our old phones and laptops are quietly gathering dust in drawers and storerooms, pushing the e-waste problem into the indefinite future.