Low-Cost Electronics Contribute to the World’s Fastest-Growing Waste Stream

The convenience of low-cost electronics has become a double-edged sword. While they may seem like a bargain, these “fast-tech” products are contributing to the world’s fastest-growing waste problem. Experts warn that the increasing trend of buying and discarding cheap electronics is not only harming the environment but also perpetuating a culture of disposability.

In the UK alone, over 1.14 billion small electronic gadgets are bought every year, with about half of them ending up in the bin within the same timeframe. This translates to an astonishing 19 items per second. The sheer volume of electronic waste is a concern, with experts pointing to the low price point and poor quality of these products as key factors.

Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, a campaign that promotes responsible electronics recycling, says that fast tech has become a significant problem. “We’ve had fast food, we’ve had fast fashion, and we’re now in the age of fast tech,” he explains. “We’re not moralists against technology, but what we are concerned about is the volume of low-quality, cheap, flimsy products that are flooding the market, which end up binned or unused.”

Butler highlights the issue of “fad” fast tech, where cheap items are bought for specific occasions or times of the year, only to be discarded soon after. For example, mini-fans that were in high demand during the recent heatwave are now being discarded in large numbers. “We urge people to buy the best version of these products that they can, so that they have a much better chance of lasting more than a summer,” he advises.

Environmental scientist Laura Young agrees that fast tech represents a new kind of environmental threat. “We have never had throwaway technology like this before,” she says. “And I think people maybe just genuinely don’t realise that there are electronic components inside of a lot of these tiny devices.”

Young points out that many people are unaware of the electronic components inside their devices, such as batteries and circuit boards. “With vapes, a lot of people who use them were like, ‘there’s a battery in there?’,” she says. “And they’d never thought. But actually, why would you have thought there’s a battery in it? You can’t see inside it.”

Young also emphasizes the importance of recognizing that electronic devices are not disposable. “Anything with a plug, battery, or cable should never be binned,” she stresses. “They’re full of useful metals and can be used again.”

To combat the issue of fast tech, experts are urging consumers to adopt a more mindful approach to purchasing and disposal. “Just be a bit more mindful about what you buy, how you use it, and what you do with it when you no longer need it,” Butler says. “Never bin it when it no longer works.”

Instead, consumers are being encouraged to collect their electricals and find their nearest recycling point using online locators. There is also a push for better repair, reuse, and borrowing options, such as community repair cafes and tool libraries. Young notes that these initiatives can help people save money and reduce waste. “I’m signed up to a tool library,” she says. “I don’t buy DIY equipment anymore.”

As the world grapples with the consequences of fast tech, experts are calling for a fundamental shift in the way we think about technology and consumption. “Tackling fast tech requires thinking differently,” Young says. “We need to move away from a culture of disposability and towards a culture of reuse and recycling.”

Ultimately, it is up to consumers to make a change. By being more mindful of their purchasing habits and adopting a more sustainable approach to technology, individuals can help reduce the impact of fast tech on the environment.