Long live your grey, brown and white goods

Whether it’s Samsung, Apple or Huawei, it feels like a faster and more powerful smartphone is released every month – one that’s just that bit sexier than the previous model. We understand always wanting to have the best smartphone. We’re a mobile-only account app after all. But you don’t need us to tell you that this isn’t a very sustainable way of doing things. That’s why we not only offer you easy CO₂ offsetting with trees through your neon green account, but also a warranty extension of three years for your electrical and electronic products.

You can find more benefits of your neon green account here.

What does a warranty extension have to do with sustainability?

Did you know that on average, a smartphone is only used for 2.5 years? Even though the «life» of a device can be as much as five to seven years. The average mobile life cycle causes around 48 kilograms of CO₂ emissions, without even factoring in network and internet use. So if 3 million devices are sold in Switzerland, this equates to 144,000 tonnes of CO₂ caused by smartphones from manufacture to disposal. You would need to plant almost half a million trees to offset this.

If you extend the life cycle of your smartphone with the help of the three-year warranty extension, you’re doing more than just reducing CO₂ emissions. After all, the extraction of raw materials needed to make a mobile phone pollutes the environment too – which is something that also goes for tablets, laptops and televisions. Toxic chemicals used when extracting precious metals also damage the surrounding fauna and flora. Once the raw materials and precious metals are in the smartphone, they are more likely to be scrapped than recycled – because recycling doesn’t pay off (yet).

Speaking of recycling: A longer warranty also means that you can repair your electronic devices for longer at no cost - with neon green for a total of five years. What could be more sustainable than repairing your smartphone, tablet or TV before replacing it with a new one?

And lastly, neon green offers you security if you want to invest more money in more durable products. Because it’s usually the more expensive electronic products that are higher quality and will last longer – and with a three-year warranty extension, this makes the investment worth twice as much. In the long run, if you don’t buy a new smartphone or laptop every year, you’re not just saving the environment – you’re also saving your wallet.

How exactly does the warranty extension work?

You get a three-year warranty extension for all electronic products you buy with your card after opening your neon green account or after switching from neon free to neon green. Thanks to our partner, Europäische Reiseversicherung (ERV), your electrical and electronic devices are insured with neon green, on top of your normal warranty of two years, for a total of five years. Although our partner’s company name translates as «European travel insurance», the warranty extension does not apply to flights or travel.

Which products does the warranty extension apply to?

The three-year warranty extension applies to grey, white and brown goods – never heard these terms before? Well, they refer to all the electronic devices you can no longer live without: your smartphone, your games consoles («grey goods»), your television («brown goods»), your washing machine and toaster («white goods») and much more. Your electronic products must be worth at least 50 CHF and the maximum benefit – i.e., the prices of all your grey, white and brown goods added together – is capped at 6,000 CHF per year. There are a few exceptions; for example, if you bought the products second-hand or if your device does not have a serial number (more details available here).

What do I do if one of my devices breaks?

If your device breaks, you can claim your extended warranty via our partner's online portal. Keep the following documents ready to upload them on the portal: A copy of the sales receipt, the manufacturer’s warranty including the indication of the original warranty period, and – if applicable – a cost estimate including contact details of the certified repair centre.

Let’s make the world a little bit greener together!