How Many iPhones End Up in Landfills Each Year

And what can we do to reduce it?

A growing problem hiding in your pocket

Every time someone upgrades to a new iPhone, the old one needs to go somewhere. Some are passed on to friends or family. Others are traded in or donated. But millions still end up as e-waste each year, which is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world.

The mountain of iPhone e-waste

We calculated just how much e-waste is created by discarded iPhones alone. 

In 2023 Apple sold 225 million iPhones. And based on research conducted by GSMA, more than 75% of smartphone purchases replace existing devices. At a 75% replacement rate, that’s roughly 168.75 million replaced iPhones in a single year.

However, not every replaced iPhone becomes a waste straight away. Many are sold on, refurbished, given to a family member, or simply kept in a drawer.

According to the UN Global E-waste Monitor 2024, for small tech and telecom equipment such as smartphones, about 45% of retired devices are discarded immediately, while the rest either remain unused in shelves or passed on for reuse.

Applying this benchmark, the current-year waste flow from 168.75 million replacements is around 75.94 million devices, an enormous number of phones leaving active use every year.

To better visualise these numbers, all 168.75 million replaced iPhones in a year would stretch about 24,637.5 km, which is around 61% of Earth’s circumference. 

And taking the number of discarded iPhones alone would stretch 11,088 km or roughly a London ↔ New York round trip or a Rome → Tokyo journey.

The hidden cost of growing e-waste

E-waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world, and its impact goes far beyond overflowing landfills. The UN Global E-waste Monitor warns that 62 million tonnes of e-waste were generated worldwide in 2022, and this number is expected to rise by 30% by 2030 (UN Global E-waste Monitor 2024).

When electronics are not properly recycled, they can release harmful substances like lead, mercury, and brominated flame retardants into the environment. These toxins can leach into soil and water, threatening wildlife and human health. 

Informal recycling methods, such as open burning or acid baths, expose workers to dangerous fumes and chemicals.

The bottom line

Every iPhone that is refurbished instead of discarded keeps valuable materials in circulation and out of landfills. 

If you have an iPhone you are no longer using, selling it to Swappie is simple. We inspect every device with our own technicians, replace any worn parts, and make sure it meets our strict quality standards. That phone then goes to someone who will use it for years to come.

You can earn cash for your device, help the planet, and give someone else the chance to own a high-quality iPhone at a lower price.