Disposable Electronics

Developments in nano-electronics and materials such as organic semiconductors allow electronic devices to be incorporated into ordinary everyday items, and for other electronic devices to get smaller, and ultimately cheaper and more disposable.

This is a boon for manufacturers and indeed for consumers as things get cheaper, better and more useful. It allows retailers to improve efficiency by better monitoring, medical applications to become easier through miniaturisation.

As we move into this disposable electronics society though, there are concerns with what happens to the products when we’ve finished with them, and with the rate of change of technology, even though reliability has improved, the devices soon become outdated and we seek to buy the latest replacements.

This article looks briefly at environmental considerations in this disposable electronics society.

Cheap communications equipment is one particular benefit from this miniaturisation and it is rarely worth repairing now, hence disposal becomes a problem.

There are moves to try and recycle electronics goods, some initiatives from governments such as forcing manufacturers to be responsible for disposal of electronics products which particularly applies with ‘white goods’ such as refrigerators which are difficult to dispose of and then encourages manufacturers to look into safer materials and easier methods of safe disposal. Charities often help such as the ones that buy old mobile phones for distribution in poorer countries. However with the sheer scale of small electronic devices now in circulation and being discarded daily perhaps the time has come to look at the issue more carefully.

Of course, recycling, and redesigning products in a more environmentally friendly way is expensive initially, and also is something of a luxury for many people around the world who are more concerned with the essentials of life, but who still want to buy items such as phones, computers etc. The developed countries should be leading the way with demand for more thought to be put into the production and disposal of electronic goods:

Modular design so that items can be upgraded rather than replaced.

More biodegradable materials

Resell (e.g. through auctions) rather than discard.

Donate to charities where possible

Education of young people in the issues facing intelligent design and easier disposal of electronics.

These are just some of the things to consider, and indeed many people are beginning to address this issue. This article is simply designed to get people to think about it.