Disposable electronics causing extensive environmental damage

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Sultan Kiani

We are surrounded by electronics — from digital watches, cell phones and computers to home appliances, medical equipment, vehicles, and airplanes. Electronics are now everywhere! Despite their usefulness, electronics have some downsides, like their significant contribution to environmental degradation.

One major issue the world is facing is electronic waste, also known as "E-Waste," this is when electronic products reach the end of their life cycle.

It is seemingly a normal phenomenon as we know everything eventually dies. However, I became aware of the issue when my emergency light recently stopped working. The battery-powered light was purchased not long ago, but its backup time dropped drastically, making it almost useless. The only fault was the worn-out battery not holding enough charge so the battery replacement should have fixed it. But here comes the problem, replacing the battery wasn’t easy. In fact, it was a challenging task even for a DIY enthusiast. The issue is mainly due to the unit’s design, which the manufacturer intentionally made to be irreparable. I was able to replace the battery with one of the two identical lights, but ended up breaking the other one, which is now dead scrap. If it had been made repairable, we could have revived the light, as its PC board, body shell, and LEDs were all working.

More manufacturers are creating fragile and disposable electronics compelling consumers to purchase new units. This practice extends beyond low-cost electronics like Chinese emergency lights to other commonly used electronics such as electric space heaters, instant water heaters, smartphones, and smart watches etc. Even renowned multinational brands are doing the same. Smartphone manufacturers, for example, make repairs excessively expensive, forcing customers to opt for a replacement rather than fixing the repairable unit.

Some smartphone makers are also notoriously known for slowing down devices by introducing bugs through software updates, thereby prompting unnecessary upgrades. The same applies to smart watches from various brands; they are either disposable or too complicated and expensive to repair. Manufacturers tend to prioritize profit over sustainability. Such product design and business strategies are not only unethical but also unsustainable. 

The issue of e-waste has emerged as one of the most pressing environmental challenges in recent decades. Electronic waste is hazardous to the environment and public health as it contains heavy metals, carcinogens, plastic and other toxins like arsenic. Thus, their waste management, recycling and disposal is a complex and dangerous job. Strict safety protocols must be followed at various levels to minimize the risk. Unfortunately, these precautionary measures are often neglected in developing countries like Pakistan due to weaker regulations, limited financial resources, and inadequate technology. Also, substandard disposable Chinese electronics are more commonly imported into these countries. The lack of effective disposal mechanisms further exacerbates the already awful situation.

Workers in unsafe, makeshift recycling factories are often directly exposed to the toxic elements of electronic waste, where the concept of occupational health and safety is virtually nonexistent. E-waste processing involves dismantling, burning, and using volatile and corrosive chemicals for metal extraction. These processes release toxic gases and carry an extreme risk of occupational accidents and illnesses. Typically, workers operate in hazardous conditions without adequate ventilation, proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and are rarely covered by occupational health insurance. Common health issues faced by e-waste processing workers include respiratory problems, blurred vision, ocular inflammation, deep cuts and burns, cancer, and other chronic medical conditions.

Moreover, e-waste also has severe environmental impacts. According to a United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) report, 62 million tons of e-waste was generated globally in 2022. This staggering volume of waste represents an increase of more than 80% compared to 2010. Experts predict that electronic waste could rise to 82 million tons by 2030! 

It is increasingly becoming more problematic in developing countries with lax health and safety regulations. Improper electronic waste recycling and disposal is responsible for soil contamination, air and water pollution including groundwater contamination which could be devastating as the world is already facing serious water shortage. Persistent pollutants can also be harmful to biodiversity and wildlife. Once entered the food chain, it could eventually cause damage to human health in the form of toxic vegetables and meat. This alarming situation calls for the urgent need for reforms in manufacturing practices and changes in consumer behavior worldwide. The following suggested measures could bring a positive change leading to solution to a serious environmental problem: 

Purchase Good Quality Products: As consumers, we should prioritize better quality products built to last long and are designed to be repairable. While substandard alternatives may seem cheaper, their poor quality means they easily break and are often not repairable. Even minor faults can leave you with no option but to discard the entire unit.

Prefer Repairs: If a product can be safely repaired, we should choose repairs over unnecessary replacements as this helps us save money and preserve natural resources.

Encouraging Innovative Startups: Entrepreneurs should explore innovative ways to transform discarded electronics into useful items. This could involve refurbishing broken gadgets, giving them new life, and reselling them, or harvesting their usable parts to repair damaged products.

Similarly, new manufacturers could market their products as reliable and repairable at competitive prices.

Startups should also focus on restructuring e-waste recycling units to make them safer. The government and international aid agencies need to support and promote businesses that create job opportunities while reducing waste.

Government Regulations: The first step to conserve resources and minimize waste is to reduce consumption. Stricter regulations are needed to discourage the manufacturing, import, and sale of disposable, substandard machines. Policies should prioritize the production and import of high-quality, repairable products. Introducing product certifications, like the Energy Star rating, could also be beneficial in this regard. Additionally, there is a need to restructure and enforce e-waste disposal rules more effectively to ensure the safe recycling and disposal of discarded electronics, protecting public health and minimizing environmental impact.

Advocacy & Awareness: Local and international environmental organizations should run effective campaigns promoting sustainable manufacturing practices. Environmental pressure groups must also urge regulators to enforce stricter laws against disposable and substandard electronics.

Addressing this issue demands collective action from consumers, businesses, activists, and policymakers to transition toward more ethical and sustainable production and consumption practices. If no serious action is taken, the ever-growing electronic waste will continue to accumulate, posing severe environmental and public health risks worldwide. A shift toward a more sustainable future is not just necessary, it is urgent!