We all know about the evils of fast fashion, but what about fast tech? The UK generates around 1.45 million tonnes of electronic waste every year, yet many phones, laptops and tablets are replaced long before they’re useless.
Behind every new device lies a hidden carbon cost from mining raw materials, manufacturing components, and transporting them around the world.
Here are some practical ways to reduce your tech footprint:
- Don’t change devices often – Most of a smartphone’s carbon footprint is created before you even switch it on. Holding onto your phone for just one extra year can significantly reduce its lifetime environmental impact.
- Repair before you replace – Purchasing a new battery, screen or hard drive is usually far less carbon-intensive than buying a brand-new device. The UK’s growing Right to Repair movement aims to safeguard this.
- Buy refurbished – Certified refurbished phones and laptops offer the same functionality at a lower price and are much better for the environment than buying new.
- Recycle your old tech properly – Never bin electricals. Recycle them through local authority collection points or retailer take-back schemes that can recover valuable materials like gold, copper and rare earth metals.
- Think twice before upgrading – Ask yourself: Do I need a new device, or do I just want one? Skipping just one upgrade can go a long way in reducing demand for new materials, manufacturing and global shipping.
Using your tech for longer is one of the simplest ways to reduce your impact without a radical lifestyle change.
Read more:
- Material Focus – UK e-waste statistics
- WRAP – Electricals and the circular economy
- European Environmental Bureau – Coolproducts campaign
- Restart Project – Repair and Right to Repair
