A new study by Leiden University has claimed that car sharing and the use of second-hand phones doesn’t have as much of a positive environmental effect as previously thought.
According to the research, by Leiden PhD candidate Levon Amatuni, users of car sharing platforms reduce their impact on the environment by between 3% and 18%, much lower than the 37% or 51% claimed in previous research on this topic.
Rebound effects
According to Amatuni, this is due to so-called ‘rebound effects’ – an example of which is that shared vehicles tend to be replaced with new models more frequently than private cars.
In addition, the introduction of sharing schemes encourages people to drive, when in many cases they could have cycled or availed of public transport.
Second-hand phones
In terms of second-hand mobile phones, meanwhile, Amatuni analysed research in the United States, which suggested that a second-hand phone only offsets about one-third of a new phone’s production.
Here too, rebound effects are cited – while reuse both extends the lifetime of a device – by giving it a new owner – it also shortens it, as people tend to sell their newly bought devices sooner.
“The study reveals that if people couldn’t sell their old devices, they would use their phones for longer,” Amatuni commented.
Focus on genuine reduction
Presenting his research, Amatuni urged people to focus on genuine reductions in consumption rather than relying solely on green labels or perceptions, stressing that while sustainability efforts are valuable, they are not a panacea, and reducing overall consumption remains key.
“Our intentions are still what’s most important,” he said, “but at the same time, people need to realise there are no easy fixes.”
Using the textile industry as an example, he argued that no sustainable model can significantly curb waste unless people also reduce how much they buy and how long they use items.
“There is unlikely any sustainable business model of organic cotton that will substantially reduce that amount, if we don’t simply buy fewer t-shirts and keep them as long as possible,” said Amatuni.
The research encourages consumers to think beyond efficiency and consider long-term changes to their consumption patterns. Read more here.
