New phones and laptops arrive every year, and it's tempting to upgrade as soon as something breaks. But when you weigh repair vs replace for the environment, repair usually wins. The device you already own has already used up the energy, metals and shipping it took to make it. Keeping it working longer is one of the simplest ways to cut your personal e-waste.
Most of a device's footprint comes before you use it
Building a phone or laptop means mining metals, refining materials, manufacturing chips and screens, assembling everything and shipping it around the world. For many personal electronics, a large share of their environmental impact happens before they're ever switched on. Charging your phone every day uses comparatively little energy.
That means every extra year you get out of a device spreads that manufacturing footprint over a longer life, and delays the need for a new one.
What happens to devices you throw away
Electronics contain valuable materials, but also substances like lithium-ion batteries that don't belong in household garbage. A battery thrown in the trash can be crushed or punctured and catch fire in a garbage truck or a sorting facility. Devices that do get recycled are only partly recovered; recycling is far better than the landfill, but it doesn't bring back all the energy and resources that went into making them.
Repairs that give devices years of extra life
Many "broken" devices only have one failed part:
- Batteries wear out with normal use. A new battery can make an older phone or laptop feel usable again.
- Screens and back glass crack, but the rest of the phone is usually fine.
- Charging ports wear out or fill with lint.
- Laptops can often be revived with an SSD or RAM upgrade instead of being replaced. See our guide to speeding up an old laptop.
- Game consoles with HDMI, fan or disc drive problems can usually be repaired.
Board-level repair: saving the "unfixable"
Some devices are written off because the fault is on the motherboard, like a charging chip, a power issue or damage after a drop. With micro soldering, a technician can replace individual tiny components on the board instead of replacing the whole board or the whole device. It's precise work, but it means devices that would otherwise be scrapped can often be brought back. Learn more in what is micro soldering?
Simple habits that make devices last longer
- Use a good case and screen protector to prevent the most common damage.
- Avoid extreme heat and cold. Don't leave devices in a hot or freezing car.
- Keep ports and vents clean. Lint and dust cause charging and overheating problems.
- Fix small problems early. A cracked screen can spread, and a failing battery can swell.
- Back up regularly, so a repair is never stressful.
When you really are done with a device
If a device isn't worth repairing to you, don't put it in a drawer or the trash. Options include:
- Selling it, even if it's broken. We buy broken phones, tablets, laptops and consoles, which can be refurbished or used for parts.
- Giving it to someone who can use it, after erasing your data.
- Recycling it at an approved electronics drop-off. Never put a lithium-ion battery in the garbage or the blue bin, and never puncture or charge a swollen battery.
Repair in Ottawa — we come to you
Choosing repair is easy when it doesn't cost you a trip. We pick up your device anywhere in Ottawa and Gatineau, from Westboro to Orleans, repair it in-house and drop it back off. Most repairs are completed the same day (MacBooks usually take 1–2 business days), with a 90-day warranty on parts and labour. For complex faults, explore our micro soldering and board-level repair service. Get a free quote or call 613-265-4349.
Quick answers
Is it really better to repair than to buy a new phone?
In most cases, yes. Much of a device's environmental footprint comes from manufacturing, so keeping it in use longer reduces waste.
Can I throw an old phone in the garbage?
No. Lithium-ion batteries can start fires in garbage trucks and facilities. Sell it, give it away or use an approved electronics recycling drop-off.
Do you buy devices that can't be repaired?
We buy many broken phones, tablets, laptops and consoles. Tell us the model and condition through our sell your device form.