You may remember the days when a refrigerator was designed to last for decades. Or perhaps you heard your parents and grandparents repeating wistfully, “Things used to be built strong.” » There is a grain of truth in these memories, mixed with a sad reality.
Not only is the lifespan of household appliances becoming shorter and shorter, but this problem now extends to almost all electronic devices of our time, from cell phones to televisions, tablets and computers to watches and headphones.
One obvious observation is that today’s gadgets are increasingly becoming tomorrow’s trash. According to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Waterloo and published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, Canada’s e-waste has more than tripled over the past two decades and is expected to continue increasing, reaching 1.2 million tonnes by 2030! Research shows that e-waste generation per person increased from 8.3 kg in 2000 to 25.3 kg in 2020.
When you look at the latest tablet, imagine that Apple sold so many new iPads last year that if you laid them all out flat and stacked them they would be almost as tall as 862 Empire State Buildings. Then think about your old iPad or another electronic device that is often still lying around in an unknown location, still functional.
Manufacturers naturally avoid addressing the more problematic aspects of their business model when they launch their latest innovation intended to replace your old product, which in most cases is just as good. That’s not surprising. There is a term that describes this situation: planned obsolescence, which consists of designing a product with an intentionally limited lifespan.
Have you ever thought about having one of your many devices repaired? This is probably not the case as it is often more economical for the consumer to opt for a new purchase rather than a repair. As is often the case, the environmental impact of this practice is minimized, if not completely ignored, by both consumers and manufacturers.
With major marketing moves we are offered new products that are presented as revolutionary, but which are ultimately just a lever to increase the profitability of the technology giants. This is what we call perfect mastery of the mechanisms of the capitalist system.
About 59 million tons of obsolete electronic devices such as televisions, computers, smartphones, washing machines and others are thrown away every year, representing a potentially dangerous source of waste for the environment and human health. Batteries can explode during processing in recycling centers or release toxic substances such as mercury Release soil and groundwater and contribute to air pollution.
It is imperative that technology companies take the lead in solving this problem. In the absence of voluntary measures, it is up to governments to force them to act.
Fortunately, a major movement has recently begun to combat these problems. In 2015, France became the first country in the world to pass a law banning planned obsolescence.
The movement is also underway in the United States. More than a dozen states are considering “right to repair” legislation, a rare bipartisan effort centered on the idea that manufacturers do not restrict access to information and parts that would allow independent repair shops to repair faulty devices should.
Closer to home, the province of Quebec has just unanimously passed Bill 29 against planned obsolescence, banning the sale of goods whose normal useful life has been intentionally limited.
Apple recently unveiled its new range of products that are both carbon neutral, leather-free and made from 68% recycled materials.
In this world, devastation is inevitable. However, we cannot tolerate broken things: a challenge created by our own actions is a challenge that can be overcome.