Emeritus Prof Christopher May

We've sort of got to grips with the problems with #fastfashion, and while not completely resolved we can now acknowledge the issue(s) that lie behind it... now we need to take a look at #FastTech, whose products end up in #landfill leading to further #environmental consequences in the long-run.

The #righttorepair campaign hasn't really even touched this problem, even if its starting to gain traction for more established #technology.

We can't keep poisoning the #earth
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/12/half-a-billion-cheap-electrical-items-go-to-uk-landfills-in-a-year-research-finds

Half a billion cheap electrical items go to UK landfills in a year, research finds

Research by Material Focus shows everyday items such as disposable vapes are a big contributing factor

The Guardian
Oct 12, 2023 at 5:50amWeb
Show threadRichard KnottOct 12, 2023
@ChrisMayLA6 seen it mentioned enough lithium batteries in disposable vapes are dumped in landfill could have been used for 5000 electric cars.
Show threadRod MaxwellOct 12, 2023
@ChrisMayLA6 Is there a national collection scheme for used electricals? I'm wondering if it would make sense to pay charity shops to act as collection points. If they can resell items then that's good - otherwise it makes for a convenient recycling point.
Show threadRichard KnottOct 12, 2023

@ChrisMayLA6
And a similar report, highlighting toys:

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2397075-toys-produce-far-more-electronic-waste-than-vapes/?

Toys produce far more electronic waste than vapes

Over 3 billion kilograms of valuable electronics inside children’s toys are thrown away each year, and very few people are aware of this hidden e-waste

New Scientist
Show threaderol_foretOct 12, 2023

@richardknott @ChrisMayLA6 Most of the electronic parts, that are hidden in this picture are perfectly reusable for home or hobby electronics. I do that all the time.

Power bricks are another kind of waste. People own dozens of them and believe they are designed to power just one device, which is wrong (provided specs written on them are met). I am often offered power bricks for recycling and always take them gracefully, because they are always in mint condition.

Show threaderol_foretOct 12, 2023
@ChrisMayLA6 In addition, we must also push for a right to recycle. In the US, anyone can take things out of E-wastes. Vintage computers lovers do that all time. In France, it is strictly forbidden! A few years ago someone was trialed for this. E-wastes owners actually ship most of the garbage to Africa, as was revealed during COVID lockdown. Such a management of E-wastes is a shame. Unfortunately, most of the population is unaware of it and wonders why Africans are infuriated at them.
Show threadDanOct 12, 2023

@erol_foret @ChrisMayLA6 absolutely.

Taking something that someone has clearly discarded should never be a crime.
If anything a crime is committed when somone dumps their own refuse in a receptacle that someone else is paying to have removed thereby depriving them of what they have paid for

Show threadLionelBOct 12, 2023

@ChrisMayLA6

Counter-intuitively, it helps to have hardware which contains intrinsically valuable stuff, such as nickel. In the abstract, replacing nickel with iron looks like a responsible step towards sustainability but in practice it could divert end of life away from efficient recycling and into landfill.

Certainly longevity and quantity are also key considerations. But the circular economy is the way forward.