Spring (circular tech)
Spring is a UK-based tech company that buys second-hand electronic devices from consumers and refurbishes, resells, or recycles them.
This includes smartphones, laptops, tablets, and smartwatches. The company is headquartered in London and has a workshop in Newport, Wales
Contents
History
Spring was founded by Tom Williams and James Seear, a pair of childhood friends since the age of 12 who had launched several entrepreneurial ventures together before launching Spring in 2021.
In the same year, the company embarked on a partnership with Co-op and Morrisons launching its self-service machines, Spring Pods, at supermarket locations across the UK. In 2023, Spring launched a postal service to complement its existing retail offering.
Business model
Customers value their electronic devices online before dropping them off in person at over 60 self-service machines around the UK or sending them freepost.
Since the valuation of specific consumer products can vary widely depending on both the cosmetic condition of the device and its hardware specifications, Spring shows customers a value range rather than a single projected amount (which can change upon examination and testing of a device).
If the customer is happy with the value range, the device is sent off to Spring to be checked by the workshop team. After this, the customer is given a final value. If this is accepted, Spring will buy the device and arrange for it to be refurbished, resold, or recycled.
Sustainability and circular economy
Spring is a start-up with a mission to change people’s relationships with technology. In a world where e-waste is a growing concern, Spring is committed to promoting sustainability and responsible consumption of technology. Spring encourages consumers to exchange old devices for cash or rent equipment instead of buying new ones.[1]
The UN environment chief has warned that a “tsunami of e-waste is rolling out over the world”[2], with more than 80 percent of electronic devices being neither recycled nor repaired. In the process, we’re also chucking away in e-waste the rare and finite materials used in modern electronics, from smartphones to solar panels. Less than 1 percent of these strategically vital elements are being recovered. Part of the solution is to back businesses like Spring[3], which refurbishes, resells and recycles electronics.
Jenni Russel wrote a column in The Times stating, ‘...part of the solution is to back businesses like Spring, which refurbishes, resells and recycles electronics’.[4]
While the EU is currently considering rolling out legislation to introduce a ‘right to repair’ and extend devices’ life cycles, Spring believes this isn’t going far enough and that it’s unfair to put the financial burden and responsibility to keep their devices squarely on consumers.[5]
In the future, Spring will encourage consumers to rent equipment instead of buying new items to reduce e-waste and promote sustainable consumption.[6]
Partnerships
In 2021, Spring launched a partnership with Co-op and began a trial of 30 Pods at Co-op retail locations, followed by a further 10 in June 2022. Spring also installed 31 Pods at Morrisons supermarket locations.
In March 2023, Co-op announced it would be extending its partnership with Spring[7] and pick-up units containing postage packs were installed at 45 Co-op stores in urban centers including Birmingham, Brighton, London, and Manchester. Pouches can be requested free of charge online.[8]
The move increased the total number of Co-op stores offering Spring’s service to 75 (in addition to the self-service Pods).
Innovations
Spring developed a number of innovations and patents to improve sustainability and reliability when transporting electronic devices.
- A reusable, padded postage Pouch designed to protect devices during transport and eliminate the need for extra protective packaging.
- A full tech report is provided to every customer.
- Breakdowns of raw materials and CO2 impact of reselling/recycling provided for every device registered.
- Patents relating to paperless, digital electronic tracking labels for tech containers.
References
- ↑ "Startup Showcase: Spring is Revolutionizing Tech Consumption – UKT News". 13 April 2023. https://ukt.news/startup-showcase-spring-industries-is-revolutionizing-tech-consumption/.
- ↑ Blazhevska, Vesna (5 May 2015). "UN environment chief warns of ‘tsunami’ of e-waste". United Nations Sustainable Development. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2015/05/un-environment-chief-warns-of-tsunami-of-e-waste-at-conference-on-chemical-treaties/.
- ↑ Russell, Jenni (1 June 2023). "Here's how to repair our throwaway society" (in en). https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/here-s-how-to-repair-our-throwaway-society-vf7375q9z.
- ↑ Russell, Jenni (6 June 2023). "Here's how to repair our throwaway society" (in en). https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/here-s-how-to-repair-our-throwaway-society-vf7375q9z.
- ↑ Allison, Michael (23 March 2023). "The EU wants your smartphone to last even longer" (in en). TechRadar. https://www.techradar.com/news/the-eu-wants-your-smartphone-to-last-even-longer.
- ↑ "Startup Showcase: Spring is Revolutionizing Tech Consumption – UKT News". 13 April 2023. https://ukt.news/startup-showcase-spring-industries-is-revolutionizing-tech-consumption/.
- ↑ Bayford, Kristian (13 March 2023). "Co-op expands tech trials with the launch of new reusable postal pouches to cut e-waste - Grocery Gazette - Latest Grocery Industry News". https://www.grocerygazette.co.uk/2023/03/13/co-op-expands-tech-trials/.
- ↑ Fresen, Natalie (14 March 2023). "Co-op expands tech-recirculation trials with Spring | Retail Bulletin" (in en). Retail Bulletin | Daily UK Retail News. https://www.theretailbulletin.com/food-and-drink/co-op-expands-tech-recirculation-trials-with-spring-14-03-2023/.
