Exploring Consumer Acceptance of Refurbished Smart Phones in Sri Lankan Market: Circular Economy Adoption

The circular economy is an emerging paradigm that promotes resource efficiency through sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling. As environmental concerns intensify, economies worldwide are shifting from linear to circular models. Refurbishment, a key component of this transition, involves professional firms collecting, repairing, and reselling used products. However, the adoption of the circular economy remains underexplored in Sri Lanka. This qualitative study examines the factors influencing consumer acceptance of refurbished smartphones in Sri Lanka. Using ten semi-structured interviews with mobile phone consumers, the study employs thematic analysis to uncover key determinants, categorized into personal factors, perceived benefits, barriers, and risks. While Sri Lankan consumers generally prefer brand-new smartphones, they exhibit a stronger inclination toward refurbished devices over second-hand ones. These findings enhance the understanding of circular economy adoption in emerging markets and offer valuable insights for businesses and policymakers seeking to promote sustainable consumption.