There is a pressing concern on the damaging effects that e-waste has globally. Reebelo, a regional e-commerce marketplace with a mission to grow the circular economy of refurbished tech devices, is currently striving to increase awareness of this worldwide issue.
With its aims to solving the rising 364 kiloton e-waste problem in Malaysia through sustainable technology, Reebelo is branding itself as an eco-friendly player in the consumer market to save 60 tonnes of e-waste by 2022, one device at a time.
“Our e-waste problem is growing at an exponential rate. Left unattended, it is only going to turn into an immovable mountain, causing hazardous consequences. Reebelo was founded to tackle this crisis, to refresh the way we all consume technology. We believe in a future where everyone has access to affordable and quality electronics in a sustainable, eco-friendly way,” said Shen Ong, Country Director of Reebelo Malaysia.
According to the Global E-waste Monitor 2020, a record 53.6 million metric tonnes (Mt) of electronic waste was generated worldwide in 2019, and it is expected to reach 74 Mt by 2030. In Malaysia, only 25% of e-waste is recycled, necessitating more proactive measures to be taken to prevent a further detriment to the country’s natural landscape.
Recognising e-waste as the fastest growing waste category on the planet, and following notable success in countries like Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, Reebelo has embarked on a mission to close the waste loop here in Malaysia. The e-commerce marketplace enables consumers to buy refurbished smart devices like smartphones, tablets, and notebooks, among others, at an affordable rate to ultimately strengthen Malaysia’s circular economy. The company has also just launched its buyback program in Malaysia, where consumers can sell their old and unused devices back to Reebelo’s partners, where the devices are then refurbished and given a new lease on life.
Ong further added “Here at Reebelo, we are giving e-waste a second life, by reviving electronics, turning them into new assets. Our goal at the end of the day is to change how people use their gadgets and their perception about refurbished devices. We want to empower consumers to adopt more eco-friendly habits in the long-term when buying technology.”
Partnering with certified tech refurbishment companies, locally and regionally, Reebelo is focused on helping consumers switch from a linear way of tech consumption to a more sustainable method through refurbishment and recycling.
