Tag: Electronics

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InstaCash a platform helping solve the e-waste problem at grass-root level

The Indian economy is a buyer’s economy if we look at the growth in the number of smartphones manufacturer in the last 5 years in the country we would know why it is called a buyers economy. The growth of mobile phone manufacturers in India from 2 units in 2014 to 268 units in 2019. 53% of the new phones are being added in tier 2 and tier 3 cities.

This figure also highlights the hidden fact that also 18% higher numbers of phones are today being discarded and adding up to the e-waste. As environmental concerns today alarm everyone, we cannot ignore the fact that platforms that provide an easy and safe way to resale or recycle your old mobile phones will become more and more crucial to manage the environment friendly sustainability of the smartphone revolution.

Continue reading “InstaCash a platform helping solve the e-waste problem at grass-root level”

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Here’s why Old can actually be your Gold

There are two stores selling the same electronics, just that one sells second-hand electronics and the other sells new electronics. Which one would you want to shop from?

“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”

If it was a year ago, approximately 80% of the people would enter the shop that sells new electronics. But now, the number of people entering the second-hand shop has increased manifold. The trend of buying and selling old electronics is becoming this decade’s best upcoming business.But where do these second-hand appliances come from? These appliances are mostly acquired from customers or businesses selling their old appliances. They are then refurbished and brought back for sale through the second-hand market.
Here are some reasons which drive the sale of old electronics in turn helping the second-hand market to flourish in India.

1. More to choose from
Earlier when you wanted to sell or buy old electronics, there were not many choices. Either you went on eBay, OLX and or some other websites or local vendors which are not many. But now the platform for selling and buying old appliances has widened with the upcoming of many re-commerce companies. Not only the number of companies has increased but also the industry has become more organized.

2. Good quality
As I mentioned in the beginning, which store would you enter if you want to buy an appliance- a store selling new electronics or a second-hand store? With the increase of standardized electronics flowing into the second-hand market, many consumers prefer buying second-hand electronics over new electronics. And why not? We Indians look out for the best products with the most reasonable price.

3. Word of the decade- Online
If you want to buy a TV or any other appliance, the first thing you do is go online to check your options. Now you can even sell your old appliances online.We prefer to have everything on our finger tips and re-commerce companies have done that for us by taking it online. You wouldn’t want to take the pain and go to a shop just to sell your old appliance when you can sell it by just clicking your mouse.

4. Win-Win situation
A retailer selling a second-hand electronic appliance gets a better margin than the retailer selling a new electronic appliance. Therefore, it’s a win-win for both the buyers and sellers. The buyers get their electronics at a much cheaper rate from the market price and the seller gets a good margin for the same. The base of this market is primarily the consumers who sell their old appliances to re-commerce companies. The consumers also benefit by getting cash for their old electronics.

So, now that you know what to choose and why choose it, I leave you at it.

Note: This post was originally published in November 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Why re-commerce of electronics now makes utter sense in India?

In recent years, there has been a lot of talk going about re-commerce in the global market. It has captured the attention of lot of audience around the world. Let’s see what re-commerce is all about and what it has for India.

“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”

What is re-commerce?

Re-commerce or reserve commerce is the re-selling of obsolete and other undesirable goods. Vendors are accessed through electronic systems such as internet or even through physical distribution channels. The transaction is made either for cash payout or in exchange for a different product. Most re-commerce companies deal with payback pricing of goods which is easier in comparison with other options. Re-commercers usually refurbish the received goods and re-introduce the functioning products in the second-hand market. They also recycle non-useful products appropriately.

To lure customers away from online classifieds and offline vendors, re-commerce companies offer product specialization and a more scientific price for the products. In addition to that, they provide higher convenience to bring second-hand products market online.

According to estimates by industry executives, the market for second-hand products is potentially large. It is said that second-hand smartphone sales by themselves may exceed $3 billion this year. Smartphone sales in India nearly doubled to 80.6 million units in 2014, said Kiran Kumar, research manager, client devices, South Asia, at market research firm International Data Corporation Executives say, anywhere between 20% and 40% of that may be available in the second-hand market.

Origin of Re-commerce

The word re-commerce was first coined by the Chief Executive of Forrester Research, George Colony in 2005. Colony referred to re-commerce as a solution to shelf-life issues of consumer electronics because of the rapid updates in product features and functions. 
This drive may seem new to many but its roots began way back in 2006 where the world saw the rise of re-commerce as an industry. With re-commerce companies budding in the major countries, a revolution had begun.

It has reached the Indian soil in much recent years. The growth of this industry is comparatively slow as compared to other countries but it has immense potential in the future. There are various companies across the world working in the re-commerce industry. A few examples are Gazelle in US, and Rebuy in Germany, Re-commerce Solutions in France with Budli being the first re-commerce company in India. ReGlobe, GreenDust, Reboot Systems India, ZeroWaste, YNew, etc are among the other re-commerce companies flourishing in India. These companies procure products not just from consumers but also directly from the company or distributers of the company. 
 
Re-commerce in India

Re-commerce is all set to explode in India. Considering the positive trend of re-commerce emerging in India, there has been a rise in the organized re-commerce of products. However, the maximum market of consumer electronic gadgets is yet to peak. Hence, there is immense potential for re-commerce in our country.

There are certain challenges to the growth of this industry in India. Technology obsolescence and short product life can pose as a problem because the re-commerce industry relies on the consumer’s desire to buy products at an affordable price but which aren’t already obsolete. Another challenge can be the supply liquidity and logistics cost. Inflated logistics costs and assurance of consistent supply liquidity can restrict the re-commerce industry from growing in India.

In future, Re-commerce in consumer electronic devices in India is set to witness a steep growth curve. It is estimated that the industry will grow at a CAGR of more than 35% between 2012 and 2016. It will also open doors for numerous employment opportunities in the areas of Marketing, Technical Inspection, Customer Service, Logistics, etc.

The change in the consumer demographics has played its role in boosting the re-commerce industry. With the increase in brand awareness and household income, consumers are opting for branded and latest goods. Today, the average time a person takes to change his smartphone has come down from about 2 years to 6–12 months. Due to which there is an increase in the flow of used gadgets into the re-commerce market. According to a Greenpeace Report it was estimated that by 2015 two billion PCs will invade Indian homes.

Secondly, with the present trends India is set to become the next manufacturing hub and the crucial target for the rest of the world. Also with the government’s effort of ‘Make In India’, India is destined to see a rise in the manufacturing sector in the coming years. This will benefit the re-commerce industry in a way that genuine product parts can be used as raw materials for the manufacturing of other new products.

Thirdly, the performance of primary commerce is very crucial for the growth of re-commerce. The last 5 years or so have witnessed an immense growth in the sales of electronic gadgets.

About 50.5 million new gadgets were expected to have been sold in India in 2013. This translates to a market value of US$ 17.3 billion or Rs.952.5 billion. Of this, 0.72 million used smartphones were expected to have been sold in 2013, translating to US$105 million.

Therefore, with the market opening up to re-commerce the products, this industry is on a steep rise in India and is bound to take huge leaps in the coming future.

Note: This post was originally published in November 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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ADD TO YOUR FESTIVITIES BY SUBTRACTING OLD ELECTRONICS

The festive season is just around the corner and decorations plus refurnishing activities have begun in almost all households. You might be getting a new paint done or probably revamping the furniture or maybe re-arranging the items to make your home look new, fresh and stylish but wait, what about your old trash-like consumer durables and electronic items? Are you keeping them all with you? Well, that’s not a good idea! Here are a few tips on making your home décor waste-proof.

“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”

1. Stack them, but not at your home

Your old electronics like your TV, Refrigerator, AC or Washing Machine might be biting dust since a long time because you haven’t used it very often or because you’ve got a newer, more advanced one. That is surely not going to be used anymore and will do nothing but lay idle, use up your space and negate the beauty of your décor. We know you are much attached to it but if it’s not going to be used, it’s wise to sell it off at a good price.

2. Forget offline, Go online

So once you’ve decided to sell your old e-trash, you’d think of going to a kabadiwala or a local dealer. But beware; it will consume a lot of your time with a lot of painful negotiations. Even if it’s finally sold you will be unsatisfied because it will not be the price you were willing to sell it for. Best is to not wait and connect with online buyers of e-trash and they will give you good deals!

3. Cash on your oldies

You’ll have to carry your electronics all the way to the local dealer or kabadiwala which will cost you money, time and energy. You won’t have to go through these hassles if you choose to sell it online. You can get a good option of getting a free calculated quote on the web portal and they will come to your home to pick up the e-trash and give you instant cash with maximum value and without any negotiations.

Now, thinking what to do with the cash? Buy gifts for your loved ones or just relish some sweets for adding that extra space to your home and subtracting idle e-trash.

Note: This post was originally published in October 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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A B C of Overused Electronics

Does your washing machine make you stand all along, holding the wash button just so that it can work? Does your fridge door almost come apart or make huge noise whenever you open your fridge? Almost everyone has electronic items at home that are too old to be repaired. Either you give them away to your local kabaadiwala or contact us for a better deal.

“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”

However, we also have some items that are neither too old nor too new to be replaced. What are we supposed to do with these items?

If you have found yourself asking the question — Is my TV / fridge too old and needs to be replaced or can work a few more years? Well, it is an important question because we certainly don’t want to lose out on good products just because they are a bit older than their fancier cousins. And we certainly shouldn’t be throwing them away if they are in a good shape.

So here is a 4-point guide to help you understand if it’s time for your products to retire or if they can still be used for a few more years.

1. Abrupt Breakdowns

Broken-Refrigerator

Have you ever wondered why your refrigerator conks off at times, only to work splendidly when the repairman comes? Old gadgets and electronics break down abruptly and sometimes without any reason. If the problem happens at least once a month, then it would be better to replace it before it conks off completely.

2. Big Bills

woman shocked by a high bill. Image shot 2008. Exact date unknown.

A key sign to understand if your electronic item is being overused is to check for an increase in electricity bill. If your electricity bills have suddenly gone up for no explainable reason, try switching off the suspected item for a month and see if it really is to be blamed.

3. Cost of Maintenance

Washing-machine-W8_1965046c

It’s sometimes cheaper to buy a new electronic item than getting the older one repaired. For instance, an old fan’s motor or a microwave’s spare part might come at a quarter of the price of the new one. If you think the repairing and spare parts cost you almost 50% of a new product’s cost, it would be wise to get rid of the old one but a new product.

4. Decreased Performance

Broken-TV-540x401

Over time, the performance of all electronic gadgets decreases. Fans make too much of noise, TV screen becomes grainy and the speaker’s sound reduces or the air conditioner doesn’t cool the way it should. These are all signs of ageing of your electronics. No amount of servicing or repair can get your electrical item work like earlier.

These are the guidelines on your agenda list to check for all your old electronics. And while you are at it, Diwali is coming. How about buying a new washing machine or fridge for your home?

Note: This post was originally published in October 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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How Long Can You Hold Your Breath In? And how about old electronics?

Stig Severinsen holds Guinness World record for holding his breath for 22 minutes!

“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”

And why would you ask are we talking about holding our breath in? The answer is simple. Each one of us is guilty of holding something in, from bad thoughts, to grudges through to old phones. But eventually even Stig had to breathe out and so would you. Holding your breath in is quite similar to holding your old electronic devices. Eventually, you will start feeling suffocated. ZeroWaste will help you breath easily by taking off the weight off your chest and what’s more, we’ll even give you good money for it.

Here are some interesting facts about clutter that might act as a wake-up call for you.

According to Dr. Jim Taylor, our life is stuffed with boxes filled with stuff, we never use. Our closets have too many clothes, equipment and plain old junk that never sees the light of the day. He further adds, “All of the clutter in our lives prevents us from having the time and space necessary to fill our souls with love, joy, inspiration, compassion, and contentment. Why would we put ourselves in such an uncomfortable and unhealthy state? Clutter may, in an odd way, make us feel safe because we surround ourselves with high walls (of stuff) that protect us from threats — real, imagined, and existential — that we feel every day. Unfortunately, those walls also imprison us and prevent us from experiencing life openly and freely.”

A lot of researchers and doctors are linking OCD (Obsessive Compulsion Disorder or OCD) and depression with accumulating electronic items. According to the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Foundation, there are several characteristics of a hoarder. Some people acquire too many items and neglect or refuse to get rid of them. Others clutter their living spaces to the point that they can’t be used for the purpose it was bought for.

24% of house fires are reported to have been caused by hoarding, said Dr. Randy Frost. And these figures may not be true for India but the hazard is similar to quite an extent. We hope these facts act as wake-up call. If you think, you are becoming one of the hoarders, holding on to too many things, and start first by selling off your electronic waste and make your home free of electronic junk with ZeroWaste.

ZeroWaste is a game changer when it comes to disposing your old electronic devices irrespective of the fact that it is unused, overused or used. They differ from other selling sites because they give 48 hour home pick up of your device, guaranteed instant sale, true value for your device, instant cash disbursal. You just need to visit www.zerowaste.co.in and calculate your device’s value and order a home pick-up.

Note: This post was originally published in October 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Who plays with your old e-toys?

WHO had raised several concerns regarding children health and injuries through e-waste. A recent study by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), revealed that over 35,000 to 45,000 child labourers aged between 10–14 works around the e-waste areas, and faces several injuries and deaths while dismantling the e-waste. There is a strong force from the chamber for effective legislation in preventing the poor children from such working areas. We are exhibiting a techno-aligned life and in doing so we are consciously or unconsciously impacting various other lives with an add-on evil for nature.

“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”

The hideous profile of India

  • Delhi, itself produces roughly around 50,000 metric tons of e-waste. With a GDP growth of 7.5 percent, and a population of 125cr, India ranks high in terms of e-waste generation.
  • The ASSOCHAM report highlights that as many as 8,500 mobile phones, 5,500 TVs and 3,000 personal computers are dismantled in the capital city, Delhi every day for reuse of their component parts and materials.
  • The figure is booming with the advent of technology and new launches. Delhi has emerged as the main hub of e-waste recycling in the country with the e-waste from Mumbai, Bangalore and other cities reaching in there.

Their Health, Our Concern

The mounds of junk or e-waste has created as a great source for poor children to satiate their playful self by these e-gadgets which is a waste for riches but the only joyous element for them. The e-waste has certain toxic elements like lead, mercury, and cadmium which harms the health as well as injures the children. The dumping zone or the trash is accumulated in an open ground where they reach with their families to become prey of these fancy waste products. The exposure to these harmful by-products can lead to nausea, irritability, vomiting and several other ailments to a healthy person, then till what extent it can affect children?

Where are we heading?

The implementation of strong legislation for proper recycling and organized dumping is quite essential at this point of time. It apparently needs awareness and an eye-opener for those who dispose their old goods unethically. Children have a right to education, smile, play, joy, everything. They need to be protected from this misfortune. In this battle, one of the biggest wildcards can only be human behavior. If people are not convinced to participate in this race, even the best designed system will collapse. Therefore, we as humans need to practice our duties and establish a rigid structure of organized discarding.

Note: This post was originally published in June 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Repulsive face of Electronics: E waste facts

Do we realize that the devices with which we interact on a daily basis i.e. our possessed electronic devices are turning into an hideous image worldwide? E-waste or electronic waste is the new sensation in the market which aims in hindering the environment or for the layman’s sake, it is acting like a deep cancer in the ecological system. Yes, it’s a doubt wobbling in your mind, that how does a life heaping up on the technological track can affect nature? We are always guided by some or the other principles as designed for us. The law of conservation, recycling resources, water conservation, etc. Likewise, one latest factor we shall make up for is BUY ONE RECYCLE ONE.

“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”

It could raise your concern, that why I need to do it? The hi-tech trash that includes cast-off television sets, monitors, CPUs, keyboards, scanners, printers, pocket computers, or anything electronic that is no more in use settles in the zone of electronic waste. In United States, 50 million tons of e-waste is collected in a year, and only 25% of the same is recycled safely. What happens to the rest of the trash? You must be horrified to know, that rest 75% goes directly to landfills. E-waste requires an organized dumping as it has certain toxic substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium which is evil both for humans and the environment.

This rising cause is somewhere hidden in this avid society and a wake-up call is mandate now. While having some of the latest software and hardware developing facilities, the recycling sector in India is still medieval. The “high penetration in the replacement market” and the “higher obsolescence rate” make e-waste one of the fastest waste streams.

Producers must be responsible for the entire life-cycle of their products. In developed countries, several initiatives have been made on this front. Several dozen cities in the states of California and Massachusetts, including San Francisco, have passed resolutions supporting ‘producer take back’ rules. India is quite back in the league as proper awareness is not reached to the people. We are bereft of this global issue which is gradually eating the entire system.

Aiming towards a cleaner and greener India, ZEROWASTE-“simplest way to dispose your Electronic waste”, is indeed making a mark. This has possibly open doors for a community towards safe e-waste trashing. You are just a call away, and the old electronic trash is picked right from your home, and caters you with the best possible service of organized dumping.

Shout out loud, it’s your environment and your efforts.

Note: This post was originally published in May 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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4 things to know about your old mobiles

Now almost the entire humanity is using electrical and electronic gadgets and devices at homes or work places. They have become inextricable parts of our lives. The digital morning clock wakes us up, the geysers give us warm bath, we read our news on tabs, we communicate through our mobiles, food gets cooked in microwave, we manage our work on laptops, and watch favorite programs on the television before we go to bed. From the time we wake up till we say good night and in between electronic and electrical devices help us live comfortably. With time they wear down or with each technological upgrade we replace them with newer ones.

“Update: ZeroWaste is now InstaCash”

When equipments become obsolete with disuse, breakage, and downgrade generally end up lying discarded at our homes and work places. In such state these are termed as E Waste. Here are three things you should know about these old damaged electrical and electronic equipments or E Waste.

  1. E Waste can be repaired: These discarded equipments, devices or gadgets can be repaired, refurbished for further use.
  2. E Waste can be reused: In their irreparable condition these can be extracted in whole or in part for elements that can still be to augment in the manufacture of other devices.
  3. E Waste need to be disposed off responsibly: The electronic and electrical appliances until their utility lives are pretty innocuous. However beyond their lives they start disintegrating into harmful compounds. In a condition where nothing can be salvaged these need to be carefully handled and disposed off with scientific methods and under the laws of the land for the proper care and well being of the environment.
  4. E Waste disposal solution: Appointed as an authorized E Waste handler ZeroWaste collects and sends old, dead and discarded electrical and electronic gadgets for recycle, reuse or dismantling perfectly in sync with our environment.

Offering several opportunities ZeroWaste gives Cash in exchange of the E Waste and it also offers Smart Credits to purchase new electronic items under its ‘But One, Recycle One’ program.

Contact ZeroWaste today for all your E Waste lying at your home and work places. It is the ‘Simplest way to dispose your electronic waste’.

Note: This post was originally published in April 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.