Fairphone Reuse & Recycle Program Terms and Conditions

At Fairphone, We are changing the industry from the inside out and establishing a sustainable electronics market by giving used smartphones a second life or ensuring they are responsibly recycled.  

It might not be the most exciting part, but these Fairphone Reuse & Recycle Program Terms and Conditions ("Program Terms") are here to ensure the rules under which You participate in our program are crystal clear. They tell You who We are, how You can sell or recycle Your used smartphone, how We evaluate its condition, how payments work, and what to expect when sending Your Product to Us.  

These Program Terms, together with the Fairphone Privacy Policy, form the legally binding agreement between Fairphone and any Participant in the Fairphone Reuse & Recycle Program via our website: https://www.fairphone.info/recycle.  These terms operate independently of our B2C Sales Terms and Conditions and apply specifically to Products buy-backs.

Access to and use of the Website is subject to the Fairphone Terms of Use.

Participation is completely voluntary and separate from buying products in our Webshop. 

Please save or download a copy of these Program Terms for your future reference. 

These Program Terms were last updated on 18 August 2026.

After this short intro, let’s dive into the nitty gritty!

1. Who we are

1.1 These Program Terms are a contract between You and FairPhone, B.V., a Dutch limited liability company located at van Diemenstraat 200, 1013 CP Amsterdam in the Netherlands, registered with the Trade Registry number 55901964, VAT number 8519.04.270.B.01 ("Fairphone", "We", "Us", or "Our"). 

2. The Fine Print, Translated

2.1 Defined Terms. Just so that we are on the same page, capitalized terms used in these Terms are defined in this section 2.1 or elsewhere in the document.

• “Form” the application and evaluation questionnaire accessible on or through Our Website, via  https://www.fairphone.info/recycle.
• “Initial Valuation” means the first valuation Fairphone provides to the Participant based on the application Form completed by the Participant on the Website.
• “Participant” ("You" or "Your") means any natural person living within the European continental territories of the EEA (excluding Malta, Cyprus, Switzerland, UK, and Norway), above the age of 18, who is the sole owner of the Product and legally capable of entering into a binding contract with Us.
• “Online Shop” means Our online shop website section where You can acquire information about Our products and purchase them: www.fairphone.info.
• “Product” means the smartphone device which the Participant sends for recycling.
• “Recycling Gift Card” means the Fairphone gift card account code received by the Participant following the successful receipt of the Product and positive valuation by the Recycling Partner.
• “Recycling Partner” means the third-party service provider which Fairphone has contracted for assessing technical specifications and physical condition, as well as further processing of the Product.
• “Recycling Value” means the value of the Product based on its technical specifications and physical condition minus the administration costs of the Reuse & Recycle Program.
• “Revised Valuation” means a revision of the Initial Valuation due to any inaccurate or incorrect description of the Product.
• “Reuse & Recycle Program” or “R&R Program” is the application form and processes through which Fairphone offers to buy smartphone devices from end users at a predetermined price in the form of a Quotation, collaborating with a Recycling Partner to reuse or recycle the device.
• “Reuse & Recycle Program Terms” or “Program Terms” means these terms and conditions, including updates, alterations, and possible appendices published on the Fairphone Website.
• “Shipping Label” means the prepaid shipping document the Participant receives via email after completing the Form.
• “Website” means Fairphone’s official online presence accessible at www.fairphone.info (including www.fairphone.info/recycle and any subdomains or designated partner portals operated on Our behalf), as updated from time to time.

3. Scope of Application

3.1 Program Purpose. The Fairphone R&R Program allows a Participant to sell or recycle their used Product to Fairphone, and in return the Participant receives a Fairphone Recycling Gift Card. To clarify, this section does not apply to Products which are valued at zero euros (€0).

3.2 Non-Returnable Accessories & Spare Parts. The Reuse & Recycle Program only applies to complete Products and does not apply to separate spare parts and/or accessories (e.g. chargers). If You send Us spare parts and/or accessories, the sent items will not receive any valuation and We will not return them to You. These spare parts and/or accessories will be recycled or disposed of.

3.3 Participant Warranties. The Participant shall represent and warrant:

• that there are no liens, encumbrances or security interests attached to the Product;
• that the Product is not counterfeit, stolen or fraudulent;
• that the Participant is not infringing on the intellectual property rights of a third party;
• that the Participant has filled in the Form truthfully.

3.4 Exclusion of Commercial Entities & Business Recycling. Product dealers, retailers, resellers and commercial entities are excluded from participating in this automated consumer Reuse & Recycle Program. Direct business customers seeking to  recycle devices (including under applicable WEEE compliance regulations) must contact Fairphone at  [email protected] to process B2B take-back requests under dedicated commercial and invoicing procedures.

3.5 Device Submission Limits. A Participant may send in up to two (2) Products at a time. The Participant will receive a Recycling Gift Card equal to the Recycling Value established by Us and Our Recycling Partner. 

• Geographical & Legal Compliance. By submitting the Form on the Website:
•  You accept and agree that You are bound by the Program Terms; 
• You acknowledge that You have read and understood the information concerning the Fairphone Privacy Policy; and
• You confirm that You live within the European continental territories of the EEA (excluding Malta, Cyprus, Switzerland, UK and Norway), and have a valid proof of identification (e.g. passport or ID-card). If You try to participate from a territory where the program is unavailable, Fairphone will not pay out the Recycling Value, return the Product or assume any responsibility for custom claims or breach of international laws regarding electronic waste trade.

4. Valuing Your Product

4.1 Submitting the Form. To participate in the Reuse & Recycle Program You must fill out the Form accessible via www.fairphone.info/recycle. If You have any question regarding the condition of the Product and/or filling out the Form You can contact Us at: [email protected]

4.2 Accuracy of Information. It is Your sole responsibility to ensure the accuracy and correctness of the information provided in the Form.

4.3 Initial Valuation & Product Description. You warrant that You will accurately and correctly describe the condition of the Product in the Form so that We can provide You with an accurate initial Valuation. The Initial Valuation remains provisional until Our Recycling Partner physically inspects Your Product. Any inaccurate, incomplete or incorrect descriptions in the Form a will result in a Revised Valuation pursuant to Clause 4.6.

4.4 Physical Inspection. Upon receipt, Our Recycling Partner will inspect the Product to verify that its model, identification and physical condition match the details provided in the Form. 

4.5 Revised Valuation & Right to Return. If the inspection reveals any discrepancies with the Form, We will email You a Revised Valuation. You will have seven (7) working days from the date sent to accept or reject the Revised Valuation:

• Rejection & Return: If You reject the Revised Valuation within seven (7) working days, You may request that We return the Product to You at no charge. If We are unable to return the Product, We will pay You a sum equal to the Initial Valuation.
• Acceptance: If You accept or do not reply within seven (7) working days, the Revised Valuation will be deemed accepted, payment will be issued, and the Product can no longer be returned.

4.6 Locked or Blocked Products. If the Product is locked by activation services (such as Find My iPhone or Android Find My Device), We cannot process or value it. Fairphone will notify You to remove the lock remotely. Locked Products cannot be returned. The product must be unlocked within thirty (30) days of issuing the Initial Valuation. If the device is unlocked after 30 days, We reserve the right to re-evaluate the Product at its current market value. If a Product remains locked after 365 days, our Recycling Partner will recycle it without payout. 

4.7 Counterfeit, Lost, or Stolen Products. We will not issue payment or return any Product that is determined to be counterfeit, reported lost or stolen, or derived from prepay box breaking. If a Product is identified as lost or stolen:

• Fairphone and its Recycling Partner reserve the right to retain the Product, report the matter to law enforcement authorities, and surrender the Product to the police or its legitimate owner as required by law.
• No payment or Recycling Gift Card will be issued, and any previously issued Gift Card may be invalidated or reclaimed within three (3) months of discovery.

4.8 Non-Returnable Accessories and Media. You must remove all SIM cards, memory (SD) cards, and personal accessories (including protective cases, chargers, cables, and original packaging) before shipping Your Product. Any SIM cards, memory cards, packaging, or accessories received with the Product will be immediately destroyed or recycled upon receipt and cannot be returned under any circumstances. If Your Product is returned to You pursuant to Clause 4.5, it will be returned without any such accessories, packaging, SIM cards, or memory cards. Fairphone accepts no liability for any items sent in breach of this provision or for personal data remaining on discarded storage media.

4.9 Arrival Timeframe. We must receive Your Product within thirty (30) days of issuing the Initial Valuation at our Recycling Partner. If received after 30 days, We reserve the right to re-evaluate the Product at its current market value.

5. Formation of the Contract

5.1 Initial Valuation & Your Offer.

• The Estimate: The Initial Valuation shown on our Website is a non-binding estimate only. It is not a legal promise by Fairphone to purchase Your Product.
• Your Offer: By shipping Your Product to Us based on that estimate, You make a formal offer to sell Your Product to Us for the Initial Valuation amount (“Your Offer”).

5.2 Transfer of Ownership & Transit Risk. Title of the Product passes to Fairphone upon completion of payment to You.Risk of loss or damage passes to Fairphone once the Product is handed over to Our designated carrier. If the Product is lost or damaged during transit through no fault of Your own, Fairphone’s direct liability shall be limited to issuing a Recycling Gift Card equal to the Initial Valuation, provided You followed Fairphone’s packaging instructions.

6. Sending in Your Product

6.1 Participant Verification Data. To receive a Shipping label, You must provide Your full name, date of birth, valid email address, postal address, telephone number and ID information for legal compliance purposes. We will also request device information: IMEI, internal memory storage (e.g., 8GB, 16GB, 32GB etc.), functionality, cosmetic defects and localization service status. Fairphone is not responsible for the accuracy of data entered by You.

6.2 Label Generation. Upon completing the Form, Your Shipping Label will be sent to Your email. You can use this Shipping Label once for one package. Where participation is excluded based on geographical location, no Shipping Label will be issued. You can find links for recycling near you in our FAQs.

6.3 Shipment Quantity Limits. You can send up to a maximum of two (2) devices per package to ensure  safe transport in accordance with shipping regulations. There is no limit to how many times You may participate in the Reuse and Recycle Program.

6.4 Packaging Obligations. You must follow Fairphone’s packaging instructions and ensure the Product is adequately protected against physical damage during transport.

6.5 Finality of Submission. Once You accept the valuation (or the 7-day period expires without rejection) and payment is issued, the buy-back transaction is final. Title to the Product transfers to Fairphone, and the Product can no longer be returned to You under any circumstances.

7. Payments

7.1 Payout Currency & Tax. Fairphone initiates payments by providing a discount code for a future purchase via a Recycling Gift Card. All payments are in Euro (€) and exclude Value Added Tax (VAT). Please double-check Your personal details prior to submitting the Form.

7.2 Gift Card Terms & Issuance. You will receive a unique Recycling Gift Card redeemable in the Fairphone Online Shop. Terms governing gift card usage are available at https://www.fairphone.info/legal/gift-card-terms-and-conditions. Once a contract pursuant to Clause 5 is formed, the Recycling Gift Card will be emailed to the address provided in the Form. It is Your responsibility to register Your email correctly. Fairphone does not automatically resend Gift Cards, but lost codes can be requested via Customer Support.

8. Data Protection

8.1 User Data Responsibility. You are solely responsible for removing all personal data and performing a full factory reset (including unlinking accounts such as iCloud or Google) prior to shipment. By sending Your Product, You acknowledge that Products—including non-powering or defective units where software data erasure cannot be performed—may be transferred to third parties for refurbishment, reuse, or spare parts harvesting.

8.2 Release of Data Liability. Where technically feasible, Our Recycling Partner will perform standard professional software data erasure or physical destruction. However, if a Product cannot be powered on and wiped, You expressly assume all risks associated with any residual data remaining on the device. Fairphone, its Recycling Partner, and downstream third-party recipients accept no liability for any un-erased data, data recovery, or third-party claims arising from data left on the Product.

9. Right to termination

9.1 Program Modification. Fairphone reserves the right to terminate the Reuse & Recycle Program or restrict a person’s participation at any time, for any reason, and without notice.

9.2 Cancellation for Fraud. Fairphone reserves the right to cancel any Recycling Gift Card or refuse transactions if We notice fraudulent, improper, or unlawful activity, or a breach of these Program Terms.

10. Limitation of liability

10.1 Exclusion of Indirect Damages. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Fairphone accepts no liability for lost profits, loss of business or consequential, special, indirect or punitive damages arising under the Reuse & Recycle Program.

10.2 Monetary Liability Cap. Fairphone’s liability to You under these Program Terms is limited to the value  of the applicable Recycling Gift Card.

10.3 Mandatory Statutory Rights. Nothing in these Program Terms excludes or limits liability for:

• Death or personal injury due to negligence;
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or
• Any statutory liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited under applicable law.

10.4 Participant Indemnification. You agree to indemnify Us against any third-party claims resulting from performing Our obligations under this Contract on Your behalf or arising for Your breach of these Program Terms.

10.5 Force Majeure. Neither party shall be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under these Terms caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, extreme weather, fire, systemic cyber outages, or national logistics strikes. If a Force Majeure event occurs prior to payout, Fairphone’s performance timelines will be suspended for the duration of the event. If the event results in the loss or damage of Your Product before inspection, Fairphone’s total liability is limited to the Initial Valuation. Once payout is issued, the transaction is fully executed and cannot be canceled.

11. Other Important Bits (Miscellaneous)

11.1 Severability. If any court or authority decides that any provision of these Program Terms is invalid or unenforceable, the remaining paragraphs will remain in full force and effect. The Parties will endeavor in good faith to replace any invalid provision with a  valid, enforceable one.

11.2 Assignment & Transfer. Fairphone may transfer its rights and obligations under this Contract to another organisation without affecting Your rights. You may only transfer Your rights or obligations to another person if Fairphone agrees to this in writing. No third party has any right to enforce any of these Program Terms.

12. Changes to these Program Terms

12.1 Amendment Rights. Fairphone reserves the right to amend these Program Terms at any time by publishing an updated version on Our Website.

12.2 Remedy. If You do not agree to an amended version of these Program Terms, Your sole recourse is to stop participating in the Reuse & Recycle Program

12.3 Applicable Version. Participation in the Reuse & Recycle Program is governed by the version of the Program Terms in effect at the time You submit the Form.

13. Applicable Law & Dispute Resolution

13.1 Governing Law. All contracts concluded with Fairphone are governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the Netherlands. As a consumer,  You will continue to benefit from any mandatory statutory protections provided by the laws of Your country of residence.

13.2 Jurisdiction. In the event of any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with these Program Terms, You may choose to submit judicial proceedings to either the competent court in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, or the competent court in Your place of residence.

V 2.0 Valid from 18th of August 2026