Electronic consumption has changed in the last 10 years

It is now almost impossible to imagine life without a mobile phone in hand. Computers, tablets, and smartphones have transformed the way we communicate, work, learn, and entertain ourselves. They became even more essential when the COVID-19 pandemic forced professional dynamics, classes, meetings, and social relationships to move online.

But few people realize that our dependence on electronic devices has colossal environmental costs, from mineral extraction to the disposal of used devices. Consumers continue to buy faster, newer products with more storage and better cameras even when their devices still work perfectly.

In 2019 alone, 53.6 million tons of electronic waste were discarded worldwide. Of this astronomical amount, only 17% is properly recycled. The interior of most electronic equipment is made up of various types of metals such as gold, silver, palladium, copper, and aluminum. Improper recycling causes these metals not to be recovered or reused, ending up incinerated, in landfills in underdeveloped countries, and even spilled into rivers and seas.

Electronic products are increasingly smaller and lighter compared to models from 10 years ago. Modern televisions have thin and flat screens, unlike the bulky and boxy televisions that existed until the beginning of the 21st century; smartphones have replaced MP3 and MP4 players, portable CD players, landline phones, GPS devices, and cameras; streaming services (Netflix, HBO, Disney+, among others) have taken the place of cassette, DVD, and Blu-ray players.

Despite all this reduction in volume and the merging of various different devices into a single, more multifaceted and efficient one, e-waste production continues to rise at a staggering rate. In the span of a decade, between 2010 and 2020, the electronic waste produced worldwide nearly doubled.

                                                          Source: Statista

So, what's the problem?

Until the end of the last century, buying a television, a mobile phone, or any electronic product was an important event. It was supposed to last many years, and when a component broke, the equipment was taken to a store to repair the damage.

Currently, our mindset regarding electronic consumption has changed radically. Mass production and the commoditization of technology have caused a significant price drop compared to product values 10 years ago. When a mobile phone breaks, we go buy a new one. Most of the time, it is not financially worthwhile to go to a store to try to fix the malfunction. A toaster or hand blender that stops working is immediately abandoned in a corner of the house and replaced by a new one.

This consumerist mindset characteristic of the 21st century and the financial accessibility of electronic products lead to an excessive increase in technological production to meet demand.

To try to stop this technological waste and consequent pollution of the planet, we must reduce consumption, properly recycle products we no longer use, and invest in refurbished products. You can read more about this topic in this article: What is electronic waste and how to avoid it?