We have covered all the negatives in our previous two posts, so let’s have a change of pace and consider how we can reduce our E-waste footprint 😀
Calling All Companies
Currently, the product design features and fast cycles of technology present a mountainous barrier – and sometimes make it impossible – for consumers to retain usage of their devices over extended periods of time (Ahmed, 2016). Subsequently, frequent replacements of functional electronics equipment are often made to ensure that they are integrated into the revised ecosystems of technology (IEEE, 2005). Therefore, improvements are needed in the designing of products for their easy maintenance, upgrading and repair, alongside developing ways to introduce new features in a manner that does not impede the functionality of existing equipment.
In order to access the technological innovations in a way that generates less waste while maximising the product life expectancy, changes in business practices in terms of manufacturing are required. Listed below are some of the strategies that manufacturers should pursue, as recommended by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE, 2020):
Rapid changes in technology further complicate electronics purchasing decisions beyond traditional measures of functionality and durability. By bridging the technological gap, consumers are able to use functional electronic devices without fear of it being incompatible with software such as operating systems.
Apart from increasing the product life cycle, strides should be taken in the recovery of E-waste. For one, Dell became the first in the electronics industry to ban the export of obsolete devices to developing countries in 2009 (Dell, n.d.). Furthermore, conscious efforts have been made to introduce closed-loop recycling through take-back services and the reuse of plastics to manufacture new products (Dell, n.d.). Their reverse logistics take-back programme is available in Singapore too! Yay Dell users!!
Evidently, the responsibilities of electronics companies don’t end at the transactions that take place at the cashier. Creating a circular production chain minimises the leakages of E-waste, and its accompanying polluting impacts.
What About Us Consumers?
As consumers, we have a responsibility in driving the demand for electronics, and considerable steps can be taken to minimise our generation of E-waste. After all, it is the market that decides the allocation of resources towards the production of goods and services – changing demands thus reduces the production of unneeded electronics.
A survey conducted by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in 2018 revealed that 60% of consumers are unaware of how to recycle their E-waste, with 61% of E-waste generated being passed to rag-and-bone men or thrown away (Boh, 2018). As such, there is a pressing need for us to equip ourselves with information and resources to aid in the prudent purchase and recycling of our electronic devices.
Here are some of our tips in combating E-waste, we would love to hear your suggestions too!
Additionally, if you like to know more about recycling E-waste?, head over to NEA’s E-waste recycling webpage to locate a programme near you. (Time to correctly dispose of the old hair dryer that I have 😉 )
See you next time as we explore the innovative products that have been developed to alleviate the environmental impacts brought about by consumerism 🙂
References:
Ahmed, S. F. (2016). The Cost of Electronic Waste. The Atlantic. Available from: https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/09/the-global-cost-of-electronic-waste/502019/ [Accessed 12 October 2020]
Boh, S. (2018). Singapore’s mountain of e-waste. The Straits Times. Available from: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/singapores-mountain-of-e-waste [Accessed 12 October 2020]
Dell. (n.d.). Responsible Recycling: Dell Bans E-Waste Exports. Available from: https://www.dell.com/learn/pa/en/pacorp1/corp-comm/e-waste [Accessed 12 October 2020]
Harvard University. (n.d.). 6 ways to minimise your e-waste. Available from: https://green.harvard.edu/tools-resources/how/6-ways-minimize-your-e-waste [Accessed 12 October 2020]
IEEE. (2005). E-waste and the consumer: improving options to reduce, reuse and recycle. IEEE International Symposium on Electronics and the Environment, 2005. Available from: 10.1109/ISEE.2005.1437033
NEA. (n.d.). E-Waste Management. Where to Recycle E-Waste. Available from: https://www.nea.gov.sg/our-services/waste-management/3r-programmes-and-resources/e-waste-management/where-to-recycle-e-waste [Accessed 12 October 2020]