Upgrades and eWaste: Embracing Slower, More Sustainable Technology Practices

Are you someone who eagerly awaits their new iPhone every year? Do you make a habit of upgrading your smartwatch, tablet, laptop or even your car? Have you ever thought about the impact of your upgrades and the eWaste they generate – not just on your wallet, but on the environment, too. Let’s take a deep dive into the fast-paced technology world. Keep reading to have your eyes opened to tech companies and their unscrupulous practices. And find out how to live a greener life by embracing slower, more sustainable technology practices.

Current Personal Technology Practices

Most of us are constantly connected to technology. We never leave the house without a mobile phone, air pods and a smart watch as a minimum.

I remember my first mobile phone; a Nokia 3210. It could make and receive calls, send and receive text messages, and best of all it had the highly addictive game, “Snake.” The screen was black and white, and it did not connect to the internet.

It is absolutely mind-blowing to me that now, 25 years later, phones are more like little computers that we carry round in our pockets. They can be used in lieu of bank cards to make purchases. There are apps for just about anything you can imagine. The cameras on a smartphone have better resolution than any high-end dSLR camera had 10 years ago.

And, just when you think things can’t possibly get better, every year there are newer devices that boast even more impressive functions and capabilities.

So for many it is simply routine to upgrade their phone, laptop, tablet, smartwatch and more on an annual basis, to obtain the latest features and functionality.

Why are we being offered upgrades all the time?

Because technology is moving at such a rapid pace, every year or so there is something new and exciting on offer. Phones with MORE cameras that have even better resolution. Laptops that are more powerful and run more quietly. Smartwatches that can hold even more of your favourite songs, constantly monitor all your vital signs and still work at a depth of 100 metres!

Tech companies invest unbelievable sums of money into research and development. And even greater sums into marketing and promoting each new device as it is ready for release.

They do so because they know their profits will dwarf these figures, by comparison. They know that people will queue for days and pay four figure sums for the latest smartphone. They know this because THEY have planted the idea that owning the latest tech is a status symbol. They have normalised the practice of replacing tech that isn’t broken.

Contracts vs Outright Ownership

This feeds into so many practices around technology. The first being phone contracts. It seems so much more expensive to buy a handset outright and then look for a separate monthly plan. BUT mobile service providers know that once they lock you into a contract with a promise of regular upgrades, they can ratchet up your monthly payments and make a lot more money from you over time.

Disposable Tech

The second is the idea of disposable or easily replaceable tech. I dropped my previous smartphone, cracking the screen, about 18 months after I got it. The phone still worked perfectly, so I just wanted to replace the broken screen. I went back to the shop I had purchased it from, and subsequently a dedicated tech repair shop, looking for some assistance in repairing the phone. Both establishments gave me the same advice; the cost of a new screen would be more than the value of the phone, and I would be better off just getting a new one. I was outraged. After much convincing, the repair shop replaced the screen, and the phone continued to work just fine for several more years.

What’s wrong with fast-paced tech, anyway?

So, what’s the big issue here? Why can’t we all have shiny new devices every year? Why shouldn’t we upgrade to have access to the latest technology? It’s not like getting a new phone every 12 months is actually hurting anybody, right?

WRONG!

There is a long list of a problems related to creating the devices that most of us take for granted. Let’s start with the environment.

Environmental impact

Various raw materials, including several rare and precious minerals, are required to produce tech such as mobile phones. These materials need to be mined, which is a HUGE problem. Mining directly leads to deforestation and habitat loss, as well as water pollution. It is highly energy intensive as well, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions.

These raw materials are then processed into the various component parts – microchips, SIM cards, screens, cameras, cases, circuit boards etc. This process requires a lot of energy and water, resulting in further more greenhouse gas emissions and also putting pressure on water supplies.

The high turnover of technology resulting from frequent upgrading, coupled with poor recycling practices, generates HUGE volumes of eWaste. Sources estimate approximately 50 million tonnes of eWaste are generated every year.

And sadly, this eWaste is rarely processed in the proper manner. Instead of being broken down and recycled, far too many electronic devices are simply sent to landfill or incinerated. Either one of these outcomes leads to the release of elements such as lead, mercury and cadmium, which go pollute the soil and waterways. This contamination of ecosystems poses a threat to human health and wildlife.

Human cost

Then there is the human cost of manufacturing electronic devices to consider.

As I mentioned before, all the raw materials that go into our electronic devices need to be mined. Sadly, many mines exhibit highly unethical practices regarding their workforces, with slave labour being commonplace.

I will add in here the impact of climate change. As I mentioned above, the production of electronics is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Presently, the world’s poorest communities are being disproportionately affected by climate change, with food shortages, rising sea levels and uninhabitable conditions. But the climate is actively changing for the rest of the world, too. We will all feel the adverse effects soon enough.

Making more sustainable choices

So, how can you do better? What can you do to remedy this sorry situation?

First and foremost, MAKE DO AND MEND. Stop chasing after the latest games console. You don’t need the most up-to-date phone, or the latest ear buds. If you already have items that serve the purpose, and those items work, DO NOT REPLACE THEM. If you are able to, carry out repair work to keep them functional until that is no longer possible.

Let me say that again, loud and clear. If it works, there is absolutely no need to replace it.

When it does come time to replace malfunctioned and irreparable technology, look for items which are fully user serviceable and easily repairable. On that note, let me tell you a little bit about Fairphone.

My experience of the Fairphone 3

I purchased my Fairphone 3 with my own money in February 2020., This post is in no way affiliated or sponsored by Fairphone. I just wanted to share my own experience.

Fairphone are an ethical technology company that make Android mobile devices and accessories. They use recycled materials for their devices and Fairtrade Gold, ensuring minimal environmental impact and human cost in their production process.

They continue to support their devices for several years, with spare parts and technical expertise. All their phones are fully user serviceable and repairable.

So, I have now had my phone for a little over 5 years and it still works perfectly. It suffered a minor crack to their screen after about 2 years of daily use; I put a screen protector over it and have had no further problems.

My phone still has a very good battery life, runs the latest version of Android and essentially does everything I need it to. And it is still supported by Fairphone over 5 years after I purchased it, should I require any spares.

Summary

In summary, frequently replacing our electronic devices is incredibly damaging to the environment, to our fellow humans and wildlife, and to our wallets.

When you are considering an electronic device, buy once and buy well. Look for brands which prioritise ethical and sustainable practices, and pay particular attention to whether devices are manufactured with user serviceability in mind.

Keep your tech working for as long as possible. Repair shops will try to convince you that you’re better off just buying a new one. But if your device can be repaired, I urge you to go down that route instead!

Don’t fall for marketing ploys. You don’t need a 20 mega pixel camera facing in all directions on your phone or tablet. If you have survived this long without the new technology available on the latest device, you almost certainly do not need it now!