v3.2: Fast tech
In this episode of For Tech’s Sake, Elaine and Jenny draw parallels between the tech industry and ‘fast fashion’ – notorious for its short production cycles and disregard for the environment and sustainability.
We first took a look at this report from Material Focus, which looks specifically at small tech items in the UK market – so cables, chargers, headphones, USB keys, mini speakers, single-use vapes and many more small electrical products that are increasingly seen as ‘disposable’. 🔌
Speaking of disposal, Jenny looked at stats from WEEE Ireland, the waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling initiative – because you definitely shouldn’t be chucking your old tech in the bin. Not only is it bad for the environment, but it also compromises further production of tech products as there are finite materials – such as lithium, palladium and cobalt – being sent to landfill when they should be recovered and reused. ♻️
To get a sense of the scale of e-waste, we used a tried-and-tested measure. 🐘
According to WEEE Ireland, “Transitioning to a circular economy requires breaking the link between economic activity and resource consumption. Improvements in design to extend product lifetimes and to allow for repair, refurbishment and reuse are needed to ensure that electrical products remain in circulation for longer and can be fully recycled at the end of their life.”
This is where Swappie, the iPhone refurbisher, comes in. We spoke to Luísa Vasconcelos E Sousa, the new country manager of Swappie in Ireland, about how refurbishment works to give customers access to ‘like-new’ iPhones at a lower price, as well as a way to recoup some cash by selling Swappie an old phone they have lying around. 📱
And Swappie isn’t the only refurbisher on the scene offering a more circular alternative for smartphone purchases. Refurbed sells all kinds of refurbished tech, and even offers bulk ordering for businesses. You can also buy refurbished products direct from brands such as Apple and Dell, and there’s also BackMarket, Irish-owned Mint Plus and a number of other local refurbished tech providers – just make sure you’re dealing with a reputable retailer giving you warranties with your purchases.
As well as recycling, look to repairing some of your broken tech. Dublin’s Tog Hackerspace not only hosts the odd repair café, they also offer workshops introducing people to electronics, so you can learn a few repair skills for yourself. As Dublin Maker’s Dr David McKeown told us last season, sometimes a bit of soldering is all you need. 🪛
And remember, repair is being enshrined as a right in the EU. Last year, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in support of enhanced right to repair rules that aim to reduce waste and offer greater repair options for consumers. And you can follow further developments on that story on SiliconRepublic.com.
Want to hear more?
If you enjoyed this episode of For Tech’s Sake then there are some others from previous seasons you may also want to check out, as good companions to some of the themes discussed here:
🗑️ Digital waste with Gerry McGovern
🔋 Batteries with Dr Valeria Nico
🔑 The open source movement with Dr Colin Keogh
🪛 The maker movement with Dr David McKeown
Next week, we’ll have a special bonus episode exclusive for HeadStuff+ Community members, so if you really want to hear from us every week, you’ll have to become a member here.