Column: Going Green


Joint efforts needed to reduce e-waste


[Image: John Cameron for Unsplash] Te global economy has been built


on a “take-make-waste” model where valuable natural resources are extracted, used and then disposed of. Clearly this is not sustainable and is fuelling our climate crisis, so it is vital that both manufacturers and consumers make a greater effort and commitment to reduce this waste and pollution.


The role of manufacturers Manufacturers could do more to promote and adopt circular-economy practices to reduce the use of new raw materials. Smarter design processes will ensure longer product lifespans and improved repairability, as well as see that components are recyclable. One area to consider is liquid-proofing


By Dr Stephen Coulson, Founder and Chief Science Officer, P2i


T


he ever-growing production of electronic devices is creating a tsunami of e-waste. Tat is the stark warning from the United Nations whose Global


E-waste Monitor 2020 reports that e-waste is the world’s fastest-growing domestic waste stream. It said a record 53.6 million metric tonnes (Mt) of electronic waste was generated worldwide in 2019 – an increase of 21% in just five years, expected to almost double to 74 million Mt a year by 2030. E-waste, which oſten includes precious


metals, basic heavy elements and hazardous chemicals, is the cause of great harm to the environment. Tis increase is being fuelled in part by the growth of IoT devices. In 2021 there were more than 10 billion active IoT devices, which according to some statistics is estimated to increase to over 25.4 billion in 2030. Te future certainly looks bleak if the tide of


e-waste is not stemmed. Governments around the world are starting to raise awareness of the issue, but, ultimately, the responsibility rests largely with electronic manufacturers, the source of the devices and with the consumers who use and discard them.


at the design stage, which will allow devices to be easily repaired without going to waste. Liquid protection technologies, such as nano coatings, allow OEMs and contract manufacturers to re-solder components and rework boards rather than throw them away. Tis reduces the need for landfill and enables manufacturers to meet their Environmental Social Governance (ESG) goals and regulations around waste. Technology that prevents water ingress


has recently become more important as consumers clean their mobile phones more oſten as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, putting the devices at greater risk of damage. A 2020 ZDNet poll found that the pandemic appears to have improved personal hygiene habits with regards to cleaning mobile devices. Making products last longer will be


the fastest route toward satisfying ESG demands on electronics manufacturers. Tis has been shown through findings from the World Alliance for the Statistical Control of Electronic Waste, which state that 75% of emissions linked to a given smartphone can be attributed to the manufacturing stage. It also determined that extending the life of devices by 4.5 years can cut these emissions in half.


The role of consumers Te Royal Society of Chemistry found that 96% of consumers are hanging onto one or more small old gadgets like mobile phones, laptops and MP3 players,


08 February 2022 www.electronicsworld.co.uk


with two-thirds planning to hoard them indefinitely. Consumers don’t need to upgrade their


electronics as oſten as they are encouraged; they should stop purchasing new devices and focus on repairing and repurposing what they already have. Another important step is to take all their old and broken devices to a designated recycling point. As well as adopting better attitudes toward


recycling and re-using devices, consumers can also buy better, which can mean choosing products that have been produced in a more sustainable way. In fact, sustainability awareness among consumers is increasing, with 81% saying “I must be able to trust the brand to do what is right,” according to the 2019 Edelman Trust Barometer Special Report: In Brands We Trust? Even though e-waste was excluded from


COP26, it is something that manufacturers and consumers should be keenly aware of. Consumer pressure plays an important


role in encouraging businesses to change their manufacturing practices. It’s undeniable that a growing number of consumers place ESG credentials at the heart of their buying decisions, preferring brands that are proactive in this area. As makers’ processes improve, more


consumers will come to demand evidence of sustainable practices and focus their approach on reusability. If manufacturers and consumers can cooperate in a joint effort, the years ahead will be less bleak for future generations.


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