We live in a world where technology evolves faster than we can keep up. Every year, new devices hit the shelves thinner, faster, smarter. And while it’s exciting to upgrade, it’s also important to pause and ask: What happens to all the devices we leave behind?

Most people don’t think about it, but electronics have a second life, and sometimes, a third. Choosing to buy or sell used devices doesn’t just make financial sense. It makes environmental sense, too.

Let’s take a closer look at how your everyday choices can help protect the planet.

The Hidden Cost of Brand New

Every new device whether it’s a phone, laptop, tablet, or even a smartwatch comes with a hidden environmental price tag. Manufacturing electronics requires rare materials, massive energy use, and water-intensive processes. In fact, producing a single smartphone can generate over 70 kilograms of carbon emissions, and that’s before it ever reaches your hands.

Now multiply that by the millions of new devices sold each year. The result? A growing mountain of electronic waste or "e-waste" and a carbon footprint that’s anything but invisible.

What Happens to Old Devices?

When we toss out an old phone or stash a laptop in the back of a drawer, we don’t just waste the device, we waste all the energy and resources that went into making it. Sadly, many of these devices end up in landfills or are shipped abroad to be dismantled under unsafe conditions.

The worst part? Most of them still work perfectly fine.

That’s where the power of reusing and reselling comes in.

Giving Tech a Second Life Saves More Than Just Money

When you choose to buy a used device, you’re extending its life — and reducing the need to manufacture a new one. That means fewer raw materials are mined, less energy is used, and fewer harmful emissions are released into the air.

When you sell your device instead of throwing it away, you're helping someone else avoid buying new, while keeping e-waste out of the trash.

It’s a simple act, but the impact is huge. Buying and selling used devices is one of the easiest ways for individuals to reduce their carbon footprint without changing their lifestyle.

And unlike other eco-friendly choices (like giving up your car or going zero-waste), this one actually saves you money.

Small Changes. Real Impact.

Let’s be honest: no one person can solve the climate crisis. But what we can do today, right now is make smarter decisions. Choosing pre-owned tech is one of them.

In Saudi Arabia, more and more people are embracing this mindset. Not because it’s trendy, but because it just makes sense. The devices are still powerful. The savings are real. And the environmental benefits? They’re bigger than we often realize.

Where Should You Start?

You don’t have to look far. At Soum, you’ll find a wide range of carefully selected, pre-owned devices — from smartphones to laptops and beyond. Every item has the potential to do more, waste less, and help build a more conscious tech culture in our region.

Whether you're buying your next device or selling your old one, you're not just making a smart choice,  you're making a sustainable one. Visit Soum today and be part of the change.