The initiative targets the industry's standard 2.5-year upgrade cycle, which drives a global extraction demand of 319 million tons of material annually. By extending device utility to a decade, Back Market estimates a reduction of 757 kilograms of raw material extraction per unit. The 'Mine My Phone' platform serves as an educational repository for data on toxic metal pollution and child labor within supply chains, aiming to influence both consumer behavior and legislative policy.
Back Market Pushes for 10-Year Smartphone Longevity Standard
A 200-gram smartphone demands 266 kilograms of raw material extraction, a hidden environmental cost that Back Market aims to curb by advocating for a legally mandated 10-year device standard. The company launched 'Mine My Phone,' a platform designed to expose the geopolitical and human consequences of modern tech manufacturing.
According to the Smartphone Extraction Gap Report, which surveyed 6,000 consumers across six countries, 66% of users support legislation requiring devices to remain durable, repairable, and software-supported for at least 10 years. Thibaud Hug de Larauze, Executive Chairman of Back Market, describes the current lack of consumer awareness as a fundamental transparency problem. To bridge this, the company is building a coalition of manufacturers and policymakers, with formal partnerships scheduled for announcement at the Slow Tech Summit in Paris on October 15, 2026.
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