BERLIN: Whether it's a shattered smartphone display or glitchy headphones: Broken electronic devices can be a real nuisance, and it often seems easiest to just replace them, especially if the warranty already expired.

But that isn't necessarily the most sustainable way to deal with the situation, if you ask the experts.

Repairing a defective electronic device helps to "actively protect resources," according to the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation BUND.

If you're unsure whether it's still possible to fix your device, check with a local repair shop. In many cities, you will also find so-called Repair Cafes which are usually run by volunteers dedicated to reducing waste who will help you to fix your broken goods.

In some cases, however, it may be difficult or impossible to find the necessary spare parts or they are just too expensive to make a repair worthwhile. But that still doesn't mean that you have to go ahead and buy a new device.

Another option is to check the second-hand market, with an ever-growing number of sellers offering refurbished devices online at only a fraction of the cost of a new product.

Plus, buying a used device also helps to reduce waste, BUND points out.

And if there's really no way around purchasing a new phone, make sure to compare different options. Some devices are more durable than others and easier to repair. BUND recommends consulting consumer advice centres or checking independent reviews online.

In some countries, manufacturers are required to display certain information on the packaging. The EU energy label, for example, rates an appliance's energy efficiency in terms of a set of classes from A to G, with A being the most energy efficient.

 - dpa