Reuse before recycling: why this shift mattersMore and more organizations are rethinking what happens to electronic devices at the end of their lifecycle. Reuse is increasingly taking priority over recycling. This blog explains why that shift matters and how Brainscape screens mobile phones for reuse

Recupel figures 2024: a record year for collection

In Belgium, 45 million discarded electrical and electronic devices were collected in 2024 through Recupel and its partner network, up from 41 million devices in 2023. What happens after collection makes the difference between a linear and a circular model. Of the total volume collected, 6,350 tonnes went specifically to the reuse sector, the segment in which Brainscape operates.

How Brainscape screens mobile phones for reuse

Every device that arrives with us goes through three steps:

• Certified, GDPR-compliant data erasure, the first and mandatory step for every device.
• Technical inspection and quality assessment, to determine whether a device is fit for a second life.
• Preparation for reuse of devices that meet the requirements, including for second-hand stores that are Recupel partners.

The technical inspection and quality assessment together determine whether a device can be put back into use. Every device is assessed on type, condition and functionality, so that only devices meeting the quality requirements are actually reused. Devices that are not fully reusable are carefully dismantled. Components with residual value are given a new purpose, while the remaining materials are recycled. This way, valuable resources such as gold, silver and palladium return to the economic chain.

Why this shift matters

Discarded electronics were long viewed mainly through the lens of recycling: recovering resources after a device was considered waste. That order is shifting. Reuse is structurally taking priority over recycling, because a device that is put back into use retains more value than recycling can ever recover. Recycling recovers resources from a device that is no longer usable, reuse prevents a usable device from reaching that status in the first place.

This shift has concrete consequences for organizations:

• It extends the lifespan of electronics and reduces the demand for new resources.
• It strengthens data security through controlled and traceable processes.
• It supports ESG and sustainability reporting with concrete results.
• It contributes to local economic and social value creation.

By structurally embedding reuse into collection and processing, it evolves from an ambition into a workable and scalable model. The circular transition in electronics is increasingly about execution, with quality, traceability and compliance as fixed principles.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between reuse and recycling of electronics?

Reuse gives a device a second life without processing the materials, while recycling recovers the resources from a device after it has been dismantled. Reuse ranks higher on the waste hierarchy and generally has a lower environmental impact than recycling.

How many electronic devices are collected in Belgium each year?

In 2024, Recupel collected 45 million discarded electrical and electronic devices, up from 41 million in 2023.

How does data erasure work when reusing mobile phones?

Every device first undergoes certified, GDPR-compliant data erasure, before being tested and assessed for suitability for reuse.

When does a device qualify for reuse instead of recycling?

A device qualifies for reuse when, after data erasure, it passes a technical inspection and quality assessment. If a device does not meet these requirements, it is dismantled and the still-usable components and materials go to recycling.

Discover what reuse and certified data erasure can concretely mean for your organization. Contact Brainscape or visit www.brainscape.be.