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I recently purchased a refurbished iPad from Apple, and I have to say—I’m so glad I did.
I think people often default to buying brand-new electronics, but refurbished devices are just as good as new, and choosing one can be a small but meaningful way to be more environmentally conscious.
My Tech History: A Slow and Steady Upgrade
The iPad I had before this one was from 2018. At the time, I was doing a lot of freelance work after losing my job, and my technology situation was… not great.
I had an old laptop that needed to be plugged in at all times to function, and I was hired to teach blogging classes in someone’s home. Showing up with my barely-hanging-on laptop didn’t feel very professional, so my mom gave me a gift card, which covered most of the cost of my then-new iPad.
Even that iPad was an upgrade from the one I had before, which I bought from a friend. Unfortunately, that one was stolen from my car shortly after moving to Austin.
If you can’t tell, I’m not someone who frequently upgrades technology. It’s never been financially feasible for me, and the idea of dropping hundreds (or thousands) of dollars on a new device has always been overwhelming.
When I bought my first laptop in college, the purchase stressed me out for weeks. I actually still have that laptop, even though it’s basically useless at this point—but for some reason, I can’t let it go.
The Tipping Point: Running Out of Storage
The iPad I had been using was only 32GB, and I was constantly running out of storage.
Apps refused to update, and it was getting to the point where I couldn’t really use it for anything productive.
I knew it was time for an upgrade, but I wanted to be mindful about how I replaced it.
So, I checked out the refurbished section of the Apple website and treated myself to the latest iPad—with 256GB of storage this time. The refurbished option was $80 cheaper than buying new, and I had a $50 gift card from work, which made the decision even easier.
The Refurbished Experience: Just Like New
When my iPad arrived, it was in a brand-new box and looked completely untouched. As far as I know, Apple replaces the outer shell of refurbished devices, so you’d never know they weren’t fresh off the production line.
Setting it up was seamless, and I’ve been loving it ever since.
Why Refurbished Matters: The Bigger Picture
A year or so ago, I watched a news piece about the environmental impact of discarded technology. The report showed mountains of old electronics being shipped overseas and dumped in developing countries.
People were harvesting copper wire and other components from these devices to sell, often under dangerous conditions. Seeing that made me think about consumerism in the U.S.—how quickly we upgrade and discard things, even when they’re still perfectly functional.
Looking around my apartment, I have a TV from 2008 and a couch from the same year. My phone is an iPhone 7! I do plan to replace some of these things this year, but I want to do so in a way that aligns with my values.
Closing the Loop: Recycling My Old iPad
After setting up my new-to-me iPad, I sent my old one in so it could be refurbished as well.
The process was incredibly easy: I registered it with Apple, took it to FedEx, they scanned a QR code, and I walked away with a $50 Apple gift card.
That gift card is already earmarked for my next mindful tech upgrade—a refurbished phone later this year.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the market for a new device, I highly recommend considering a refurbished one. Not only can it save you money, but it’s also a small step toward reducing e-waste and making more sustainable choices.
Technology moves fast, but that doesn’t mean we have to contribute to the cycle of constant consumption. A refurbished device does everything a new one does—without the extra waste, cost, or guilt.
Have you ever purchased refurbished tech? I’d love to hear about your experience!
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