A deep dive into waste electrical and electronic equipment

Raw materials for electricals and electronics includes some high-value metals. Some are becoming scarce on land with demand also growing for more obscure ‘rare-earth elements’ with unique properties suited to digital innovations like screen technology. The deep sea bed and subsurface are a potential source of these required materials.

Electronic and electrical items are now integral to our daily lives and increasingly accessible to everyone regardless of budget. Many are treated as ‘throw away’ with short life expectancies. Those small enough to fit in a domestic waste bin are even more likely to be discarded without much thought.

New and exciting products are emerging all the time, making our lives easier, increasingly connected and fashionable. ‘Green technologies’ and ‘a digital future’ are key to tackling the climate change crisis: for energy capture, storage and efficiencies in energy use.

We desperately need these technologies, but we must also take steps to avoid fixing one problem only to create another.

People Ocean Planet (POP) share some insight into the problem of WEEE and steps we can all take to minimise the impact of resource use and waste associated with technology…

Resource efficiency, responsible consumption and waste management can massively reduce growing demand. This article is a gateway to information and guidance on how to enjoy electronics and electricals without it costing the earth…it’s all part of achieving a more circular economy.

Companies have a role in the more sustainable design of electrical and electronic equipment and governments have a role in expanding and enabling facilities and processes. But the actions of people – citizens – are essential to accelerating a shift to sustainability. There is no single solution, but together these can avoid unnecessary impacts. Keep reading for advice and links to help us:

• Buy more ethical products, including used and refurbished.
• Repair and restore where we can, to make it last.
• Sell and donate what we no longer want.
• Recycle end-of-life equipment.

The deep-sea is more than just a fascinating other-worldly place. It is hugely important for the health of the planet: processing, storing and cycling nutrients and organic matter.

It makes a major contribution to a sustainable future, a future that makes the planet a viable place for humans and nature to coexist in harmony.

Commercial-scale deep-sea mining has not yet started but could expand rapidly in coming years. What will be the impacts of deep-sea mining? Research is still ongoing into what the effects may be and how much we will be able to minimise them, but impacts will include:

• Loss and damage to special habitats and species by the direct footprint of mining.
• Sediment plumes that ultimately smother the seabed and species there, potentially including toxic elements.
• Damage to the natural carbon cycling and storage properties of deep-sea habitats. This includes the natural breakdown and storage of methane (a potent greenhouse gas), affected by the removal and mortality of microbes in the seabed.
• Contribution to the carbon footprint of global mining and smelting operations. The industry may be able to decarbonise some operations, but land-based operations have previously contributed 7-8% of global energy use (source: 2013 International Resource Panel report).

Anything with circuitry or electrical components, from kitchen appliances to toys and power tools, and technologies such as phones, computers, televisions and gaming equipment.

EEE is not just common in our homes, but also in our places of work and national infrastructure. Electric cars and solar panels are also increasingly important features of the e-waste supply chain, although managing these waste streams is less problematic than for smaller ‘consumables’ that are more likely to end up in landfill.

Batteries are not technically included in E-waste schemes and statistics but are an important waste stream in their own right, raising similar issues to WEEE. Remove any batteries from devices, recycling them separately.

The second-hand market for technology and electrical items is alive and kicking.

Most major technology corporates have their own used and refurbished sales departments, including Dell, Apple and Vodafone. Others like Carphone Warehouse and Envirofone have similar services.

Online e-commerce sites like eBay, musicMagpie, Gumtree and Pre-loved remain great places to pick up a second-hand bargain. In some instances, there are fewer guarantees on electrical safety or product condition, although eBay, Compare and Recycle and musicMagpie do have special sections for refurbished big-brand technology that come with warranties.

CeX is another used technology specialist, which also still has a high-street presence.

For small electricals, you can also just browse the charity shops. UK charity shops are only allowed to sell electrical items that have had their circuitry tested and declared safe. Search for Revolve certified stores - the quality standard for second-hand stores in Scotland – to get started.

The Community Resources Network Scotland has a mapping tool to help you find ‘Re-Use near me’.

Leasing electronic and electrical equipment is not as common for private individuals as for businesses and organisations, but possible mostly through independent businesses. Keep an eye out for this – it can help you access technology while ownership is retained by the provider; the item is, therefore, more likely to be re-used, refurbished or recycled once you return it.

When it comes to smartphones, if you must have new then consider the environmental credentials of companies like Fairphone and Shiftphones that offer modular phones for easy repair. They may seem expensive at first, but they’ll probably last longer. To understand the issues and options you can also use consumer advice services like Ethical Consumer or the Good Shopping Guide.