It is impossible to ignore the impact that technology has had on society and culture over recent decades, and with it so embedded in our daily lives, it is difficult to conceive what happens once we dispose of it. The consumer electronics industry experiences significant annual growth, and according to the World Economic Forum, there are now more mobile phones in use globally than there are people on the planet. This is a clear signifier of our obsession with tech, and the superfluous need to have the latest device.
Sixty-two million metric tonnes of e-waste were produced in 2022, representing an 82 per cent increase since 2010. This figure is expected to rise by another 32 per cent, reaching 82 million metric tonnes by 2030. Given that millions of electronic devices are improperly discarded each year, it is more important than ever to have a greater discussion about the negative effects of e-waste on both the environment and human health.
The environmental impact of electronic waste
E-waste is the fastest-growing solid waste stream in the world, increasing three times faster than the global population. Any discarded product with a plug or a battery is classified as e-waste, and when disposed of incorrectly, it can release toxic chemicals that harm human health. Mobile phones, for example, often contain heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and beryllium, as well as other hazardous chemicals like brominated flame retardants. These substances can seep into and accumulate in our environment, polluting soils, water, and air.
It has reached the point where countries in the Global North illegally ship vast amounts of e-waste to the Global South under false pretences. It is legal to export discarded goods to these countries if they can be reused or refurbished; however, in reality, these goods are often non-functional and disguised as used to avoid recycling costs. This results in the cheapest dismantling methods being employed, with the environment becoming an afterthought, leading to excessive amounts of pollution. Attempts to salvage the valuable materials contained in our devices are made through open-air burning and acid baths. These practices release toxic materials into the environment and expose workers to high levels of contaminants. Furthermore, a huge amount of precious metals and resources used to produce these devices are lost to landfills, creating a higher demand for already scarce resources.
According to a report we conducted in conjunction with the Fraunhofer Institute to assess the product footprint of electronic devices, we discovered that new electronic devices generate 80% more e-waste than refurbished ones. To examine CO2 output, the Apple iPhone 11, produces 56.9kg. The same model, but refurbished, emits just 2.8kg of CO2 per device. Gadgets don’t just produce e-waste; they require vast amounts of water too. The production of a new smartphone requires on average up to 13,000 litres of water. Given the enormous and widely unknown, negative environmental effects of tech devices, the need to change our consumption habits is becoming increasingly clear. With this report, and these numbers, we are showing data that has long been argued to be impossible to collect. If we wanted to speculate, we could argue that the data was supposed to remain hidden because it underlines and quantifies the negative impact of new tech.
The lifecycle of tech products
The lifecycle of a tech product is composed of four stages: the design stage, the production stage, the use of the product, and eventually, its disposal. If we want to continue allowing technology to advance our lives, we must embrace the circular economy, which is based on eliminating waste and pollution, circulating products and materials, and regenerating nature. This can empower us to reap the benefits of a digital world without compromising our health or the planet. Rather than disposing of our unwanted devices and propelling them into landfills, we can extend their lifespan through refurbishment, repairs, and proper recycling methods.
In today’s fast-paced, throwaway consumer culture, the impulse to discard and replace products rather than fix them is only exacerbated by big tech giants releasing new products with very few advancements or updates. Knowing that their loyal customer bases are likely to purchase any new product they release, tech giants can get away with methods such as planned obsolescence, and creating products that are not built to last. By employing strategies that play on our gadget obsession, the planet faces increasingly negative effects.
In fact, refurbed’s story began with my co-founder Peter purchasing a second-hand iPhone online. Just weeks after this purchase, the phone broke, and in the absence of a warranty, Peter had to pay the full cost of having his phone repaired. Thus, the idea for refurbed was born: a platform for refurbished products that empowers consumers to make their purchases in an easy and risk-free manner, while also allowing them to participate in the circular economy and shop more sustainably.
Making the necessary changes for a positive environmental impact
While making a positive environmental impact at an individual level can often feel daunting, the changes we implement regarding our devices are simple, effective, and oftentimes more economical. Devices that are no longer working can be handed to local e-waste recycling programs and facilities, and researching buyback programmes will ensure that the devices’ lifecycle is extended for as long as possible. Unwanted but working electronics can be easily donated to schools, nonprofits and trade-in services, again, ensuring that electronics get a new life.
Many major electronics brands and retailers also have established programmes that make it easy for old devices to be returned, contributing to the circular economy in the process. That being said, the most effective way to reduce your environmental impact when it comes to electronics is to rethink your need to buy a brand-new one and resist the need for unnecessary tech purchases. If your device is functioning or needs a minor repair, bear in mind the environmental savings and positive impact on the planet you will have by opting out of a brand-new device.
Large tech companies’ disregard for the refurbished market and ongoing use of anti-repair practices must undergo a systematic change whereby accountability is taken for their actions which undermine sustainability. Greater transparency must be enforced around the lifecycle of devices and major steps need to be taken in order to tackle the ongoing problem of e-waste. Appropriate legislation and campaigning to transition from a linear to a circular economy is a necessary place to begin, and the Right to Repair coalition is doing just that, making repair affordable, accessible and mainstream.
We have seen, and taken part in, positive movements towards enacting this change with movements such as the Directive on Common Rules Promoting the Repair of Goods, however, the scope and wide-scale adoption of such initiatives must be enhanced to effectively tackle the problem. For example, refurbed is a member of EUREFAS, campaigning for EU policy to develop a fair and sustainable market and to create better conditions for building a long-term circular economy, yet we need to see even more initiatives like this and companies making the commitment to a greener transition.
Taking action
Consumers have the power to make informed and sustainable choices that do not lead to unnecessary environmental damage or excessive spending. The ongoing problem of e-waste needs to be tackled, and if action is not taken we are facing irreversible damage. Consumers can empower themselves by taking action against the climate crisis and making more ethical choices. By rethinking the need for new devices and opting for more sustainable options, individuals can significantly reduce their environmental impact
