Singapore-headquartered Reebelo has opened an online marketplace for New Zealanders wanting to buy refurbished smartphones, tablets, connected watches, gaming hardware and other digital devices. The launch comes just six months after the platform launched in Australia. By partnering with companies that refurbish devices, Reebelo New Zealand aims to use the circular economy to reduce waste and encourage upcycling. “We’re delighted to work with some great local leading vendors that sha
that share the same values on ensuring the circular economy is achieved by bringing sustainable and quality electronics to the market,” Vasu Bose, Reebelo’s country manager for New Zealand, said in a statement.
With many device users – especially in smartphones – consumers do not need extensive features offered in new models, or the high shelf price. Purchasing a refurbished smartphone, restored to original factory settings, from a recognised supplier represents a substantial saving on replacing a handset, and reduces e-waste.
To boost its sustainability credentials, Reebelo New Zealand plans to plant a tree for every local purchase, in partnership with the One Tree Planted organisation, aiming for 5000 trees.
Cricketer Joe Burns is an early customer of Reebelo, featured on the home page endorsing the quality of an iPhone 8 he purchased there.
Last October, Reebelo opened in Australia after securing US$1.5 million in seed funding, partnering with local sellers including OzMobiles, Mazuma, Certified Tech Direct, Becextech, eBargain and Bloombird. The company said then that Lifemobile and Skyphonez would join the platform in due course.
“Reebelo Australia is delighted to work with local sellers that share the same values on delivering high quality electronics to the market in a sustainable manner, keeping both the consumerism and their environment beliefs in sync,” said Gulrez Tyebji, MD at Reebelo Australia.
