How to keep your gadgets from choking the planet

Technologically speaking, the COVID-19[feminine] The pandemic made Americans more connected than ever. From smart TVs and Internet-connected toys to gaming consoles, the average home today has 25 connected devices, more than double the number in 2019.

This profusion of technology comes at a cost: a river of e-waste. Gadgets are the fastest growing and most polluting category of junk. Old devices can leak toxic chemicals or catch fire. Recycling rates are terrible: less than a fifth of electronic products are recycled every year.

“Globally, we are generating e-waste that weighs up to 100 blue whales a day and 80% to 81% will not be recycled,” said Elizabeth Chamberlain, director of sustainability at iFixit, a community of repair enthusiasts.

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In the face of this crisis, some large technology companies have taken steps to reduce the environmental impact of their products. After years of effectiveness promotion of planned obsolescence, Apple, Samsung and Google allow customers to fix some of their products, extending their useful life. Critics say it’s not enough, pushing companies to do more and keeping government regulators on fire.

As consumers recognize Earth Day on Friday, they can take steps to reduce the impact of their technology and save money on booting. This is what environmental advocates suggest to get the most out of your devices.

Save your device longer

When looking at new devices, the first question should be whether to buy one. If you can avoid getting a new smartphone or laptop, either by repairing an older model or installing some upgrades to get another year of use from an existing gadget, do so, experts advise.

“The vast majority of a device’s carbon footprint comes from the manufacturing process,” Chamberlain said.

Americans buy about 161 million new phones each year, according to a recent US PIRG study. If everyone kept a smartphone for another year instead of upgrading, it would reduce emissions as much as get 636,000 cars off the road.

One of the main reasons people replace their phones is to get more battery life. Replacing the battery of an old phone is not as easy as it used to be, but it is still a way to extend the life of your device and costs much less than buying a new one.

For example, iFixit sells an iPhone 12 battery replacement kit for $ 50, a repair that the site finds moderately difficult. Independent repair shops can also replace device batteries.

When buying a device, consider longevity

When you buy a new gadget, find out how easy it is to update or repair it, this could have a big effect on how long you keep it. iFixit classifies smartphones, laptops, and tablets based on their ease of repair, and provides multi-project manuals for many devices.

Keep in mind that some of these valuations may change soon, now that some major technology companies are committed to making it easier for people to repair their products. Apple has said consumers will be able to buy common parts repairs for the iPhone 12 and 13. Samsung announced a repair program for some Galaxy phones in March, and Google did the same this month with its Pixel phone. They are all set to launch sometime this year.

Beware of devices that use a lot of glue to hold components together instead of screws or nozzles, this is a sign that repair could be a challenge.

Consumers can also look for modular equipment, designed to be easy to disassemble and customize. For example, the Framework laptop is a modular computer while the Fairphone is intended to be a sustainable smartphone.

Watch out for cheap TVs

Flat screen TVs are especially problematic because they are often large and not built to last.

“We see so many flat screen TVs that it’s depressing,” said Amanda LaGrange, CEO of Tech Dump, a nonprofit organization in Minnesota’s Twin Cities that refurbishes and recycles e-waste.

“People often buy them on a Black Friday, for example, where some manufacturers, not all, are reducing the quality of the components. That’s how they can make it cheaper.”

To avoid the cheaper options, LaGrange suggests that consumers check the model number of the TV they want. “See if it sells at any other time of the year. And if it doesn’t, it’s probably cheaper and then you won’t be able to repair this item affordably.”

Buy refurbished technology

Tech Dump’s twin organization, Tech Discounts, renews recent gadget models and sells them at a discount. Many non-profit organizations and online markets do the same.

Consumers should not shy away from the technology used because they assume it will not work so well, said Amanda LaGrange. Reputable retailers will do rigorous testing on refurbished items and many will sell items with return policies and warranties comparable to those on new gadgets.

“Once someone buys a refurbished electronics, it’s much more likely that people will do it again. It’s like buying a pair of used jeans for the first time,” he said. “People think, ‘Why was he throwing away the money?’

Avoid the “denial pile”

When it’s time to get rid of old electronics, give them a second life by passing them on to a friend or giving them to a recycling or refurbishment center. Many of these centers offer an economic bonus by letting someone cancel the value of their donation.

But they should do it quickly, instead of letting old technology build up, LaGrange advises. She refers to the “denial stack,” where non-functioning electronics are stored in a basement or garage for years. When someone donates them, they are often too old to be refurbished and can only be thrown away.

“If you brought your iPhone X that is now sitting in a drawer, it could easily be refurbished,” he said. “If you wait another six years, it’s not that easy.”

Support the “right to repair”

Despite a growing national movement to ensure that consumers can repair their devices, an issue that is overwhelmingly popular and has bipartisan support in Congress, no state has yet codified this right into law.

That needs to change to reduce e-waste, said Nathan Proctor, head of the Public Interest Research Group’s Right to Repair campaign. “In terms of winning the argument, winning the audience, we are in a very strong position,” he said. “In terms of fixing things, we’re just getting started.”

Nine states are currently considering bills that would strengthen consumers’ right to redress. In addition, three bills have been introduced in Congress that would facilitate the rights to repair cars, electronics and tractors.

Pressure from the Biden administration, which has pushed consumers’ rights to repair, is one of the main reasons technology companies have softened their stance against repair, according to Proctor. But making this change permanent requires putting new laws in the books.

“These companies, their job is to make money. And it’s our job as citizens of this country to make sure they do it without harming consumers and harming the planet,” Proctor said.

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