STUDY: 63 Per Cent of Canadians Have Bought Refurbished, Open Box or Traded in Technology in the Past Year, Driven by Cost, Environmental Impact, and Product Value

Canadian Gen Z are outpacing every generation when it comes to buying refurbished, open box or traded in technology, with 44 per cent listing environmental impact as a factor

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, August 17, 2026--Ahead of back-to-school, one of the largest shopping moments for electronics, Canadians are rethinking what "new" means to them when buying tech. A new report from Best Buy Canada found that 63 per cent of Canadians have purchased refurbished, open box or traded in devices in the past year, but openness varies by generation, pointing to a growing divide in how Canadians purchase technology and what draws them to supporting the circular economy in the first place.

The 2026 Back-to-School Tech Shopping Report, conducted by Best Buy Canada, found that 71 per cent of Gen Z have purchased recirculated technology (open box, refurbished, or trade-in) in the past year, with millennials and Gen X trailing slightly behind at 65 per cent, followed by 55 per cent of boomers.

While consideration across all age groups is high, the why behind each purchase differs. Saving money remains a top motivator across all age demographics, including 81 per cent of Gen Z and millennials, but reducing environmental impact is the second most important factor for Gen Z (44 per cent), millennials (40 per cent), and Gen X (30 per cent), compared to only 24 per cent of boomers.

This gap points to how young Canadians think about technology ownership. For Gen Z and millennials, buying isn't just a budget decision; it's weighed against their own values. Extending a device's life, keeping it out of the landfill, and ensuring it is responsibly recycled at the end of its lifecycle are becoming key considerations for young Canadians throughout the circular product journey.

A contributor to the increase in recirculated technology purchases? Access.

"The category looks vastly different now than a few years ago, and with the scale of new product releases from top brands over the last few years, there's no shortage of quality in the secondary market as Canadians have opted to upgrade to newer models," says Mark Leahy, Senior Director, Service Programs, Service Centres & Reverse Logistics. "Canadians have more options for non-new technology making it more accessible than ever before. For those looking for cost savings, buying a refurbished, open box or traded in device is a way to bring down initial costs while still getting a product that is in great condition."

Does age impact whether Canadians buy refurbished technology?