The design of electronic devices is key for sustainability and environmental impact throughout their life cycle. The decisions made at this initial stage condition and determine the environmental and social impact of the devices in the subsequent stages.
First of all, the selection of materials affects the amount and type of resources needed to manufacture electronics. Currently, this type of technology requires different metals and minerals to be extracted from the Earth, which has a high social and environmental impact. In the design, decisions can be made about the energy efficiency not only of the products, but also of the use of materials.
Secondly, the design also determines the lifetime of our devices (durability), as well as their repairability. Nowadays, many devices are manufactured in such a way that makes its repair difficult, expensive or impossible, with unique components, integrated parts and specialized tools needed to repair them; sometimes the devices cannot even be opened.
To all this we must also add how software updates cause devices to become obsolete despite them working properly.
→ These obstacles to repair are some examples of how consumers’ right to repair their products is hampered and they are forced to buy new ones, fostering a discard culture that encourages the growing generation of electronic waste, and the impacts generated by it.
OTHER IMPACTS IN THE SECTOR
