Envirofone is set for a comeback after being acquired from SK TES by recommerce entrepreneurs Matt Green and Sam Hargreaves, alongside partner Lewis Cox. Green, who co-founded The iOutlet 15 years ago, and Hargreaves, founder of Technology Recycle Group (later sold to ReBuy), plan to revive one of the UK’s earliest large-scale trade-in brands and reposition it as a European leader in recommerce. SK TES previously took over assets from the collapsed Redeem Group, including Envirofone.

Under the new structure, Green will remain a director of both Envirofone and The iOutlet, with each brand pursuing distinct strategies: Envirofone will concentrate on trade-ins, while The iOutlet continues to operate as a resale marketplace. Envirofone currently handles around 40,000 devices a year, and the incoming team is targeting roughly 30% growth, keeping grading and refurbishment entirely in-house to tighten quality control and turnaround times.

Hargreaves said the relaunch will lean into the brand’s recognition and heritage, promising sharp pricing and strong customer service. Crucially, the strategy prioritises direct-to-consumer trade-ins over wholesale routes, which the team believes will allow it to pass on greater value to sellers and maintain a closer relationship with customers throughout the process.

A broader European relaunch is planned for Q2 2026, focusing on markets where recommerce uptake is accelerating fastest. The owners aim to harness Envirofone’s legacy while modernising its operations, positioning the brand to compete on trust, speed and consistent refurbishment standards across the UK and continental Europe.