Now that China makes most of the world’s electronics, the same devastating environmental contamination is happening there as well – and on a much larger scale. 30% of China’s rice is contaminated with cadmium, which is used in batteries for cellphones, cameras and computers. It can cause cancer as well as bone liver, kidney and respiratory illness. By ‘reusing’, in short, we can prolong
the life of devices for up to another seven years. This means we can slow down the purchase cycle, meaning less precious minerals are being mined for their production. The more time we prolong the life of our existing technology, the more time we allow for further innovation and advancements in our tech production, as the industry works towards producing more environmentally friendly products. Devices can also be erased, donated,
and sold for reuse in developing countries, meaning a more affordable and accessible solution is available. In places like Africa, North Korea and rural Japan, these devices are used as educational aids in schools, and for small business banking. They're also used in supporting new mothers, who are unable to make it to a doctor, with medical updates. The average lifespan of computers in
developed countries dropped from six years in 1997, to two years in 2005. In 2016/17, computers now double their capabilities every 12–18 months, and so do the informational technologies that use them, meaning the upgrade time
is even shorter. Our old devices can be likened to melting chocolate. They lose value the longer we hold onto them. And, the longer we hold onto them, the more likely we are to reach into a drawer and pull out that old iPhone 4 and wonder what on earth to do with it. There has been a complete ban on
e-waste into landfill in South Australia since 2013. The other Australian states are now developing strategies to follow suit. This change will force our hands and will ensure we start to think differently. While having this conversation over
coffee with John, we saw the light go on for him. He was somewhat disheartened at the reality of having to recycle these great walls of older unused tech, knowing they could have had a second life. However, his eagerness to change to a reuse strategy moving forward had an immense amount of conviction. It means that John can contribute to reducing his company's environmental legacy. He can also have a better story to tell his shareholders, employees and clients.
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Darrin Magee, Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Hobart & William Smith Colleges perhaps says it best: “We have very little relationship to our garbage here in Australia. We throw it away, and my point as an environmental geographer, is to say: Where is ‘away’? Away is ‘here’ for someone.” ■
Connect with other readers & comment on this article at
www.livingnow.com.au
PonyUp for Good is a hybrid social enterprise commenced by Mardi Brown and her business partner Cat Harding. They
take donated, decommissioned devices from socially conscious organisations, and on-sell them to wholesalers. From there they are distributed in developing countries and re-used for an additional five–seven years, reducing the rapid rate of toxic landfill. PonyUp then donates 50% of profits to SecondBite Australia.
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