The Environmental Impact of Planned Obsolescence on E-Waste

E-Waste is the most rapidly growing waste stream in the world. The Global E-Waste Monitor showed that a record 62 million tonnes of e-waste was generated in 2022 alone, while the documented collection and recycling rate was reported to be just over 22%. By 2030, the report estimates that the annual e-waste count will cross 82 million tonnes, while the collection and recycling rate will decrease to 20%.

One of the causes of these scary numbers is planned or design obsolescence. Let’s talk about that first.

Understanding Planned Obsolescence

Planned obsolescence or engineered obsolescence is a business strategy where electronics manufacturers intentionally design products that become obsolete quickly. It makes the consumers buy new products and promotes an increase in sales.

However, it is an unlawful practice, which is also banned in many countries. Moreover, there are strict e-waste laws and regulations against companies that use planned obsolescence.

Still, the issue is not completely eliminated. There are some manufacturers, using different design choices to encourage people to buy new products, but in reality, they are silently encouraging the growth of the e-waste crisis and the environmental impacts of e-waste.

4 Electronics Design Choices That Contribute To The E-Waste Crisis

As technology continues to advance, electronics manufacturers are producing more electronic devices, which is also increasing the amount of electronics being discarded. As a result, it is heavily contributing to the growing e-waste crisis.

In order to encourage the purchase of new and upgraded products, manufacturers make unlawful design choices, neglecting sustainability and eco-friendliness. Here are four major ways companies practice manufactured obsolescence.

1. Un-Reliable Builds

More often, companies design products that are less durable and reliable, leading to a shorter lifespan, and increased frequency of replacements. As a result, this practice not only contributes to the growing volume of e-waste but also increases the burden on recycling companies.

This built in obsolescence for shorter lifespan of products is done in various ways. One of these is the choice of materials. Most designers use plastics rather than sturdy metals, which makes the product less durable. Another approach is designing components that are cast-in-place, preventing or making it difficult to repair or replace. It shortens the lifespan of products and even minor wear and tear or cracks eventually lead to devices being disposed of.

One of the biggest examples of this is the story of Apple and planned obsolescence. There have been several cases of Apple lawsuit planned obsolescence, including a 2017 class action lawsuit in the US, the 2020 Belgian lawsuit, and the French investigation in 2023. Reportedly, Apple had a defined iPhone obsolescence schedule. Millions of claims were filed against the tech giant and since then, Apple has begun to send Batterygate settlement payments from the start of 2024.

2. Non-Recyclable Components

Another big example of planned obsolescence is the disposable product design that companies use to make devices for one lifetime’s worth of use. Such devices contain several non-recyclable components, such as plastic frames and batteries.

Moreover, some devices have inbuilt obsolescence with a highly complex and technical design structure. It makes disassembly much more challenging for third-party servicers or recycling teams. This, along with non-recyclable components, makes it necessary to use dangerous methods for deconstruction and harvesting. As a result, it produces unnecessary e-waste.

3. Un-Sustainable Approaches

Although eco-friendly product design and manufacturing can be really beneficial for business and life, some companies still prefer cheap tactics for better return on investment. Also, to make consumers purchase more and often. Both of these are among the big product obsolescence examples.

The unsustainable approaches include unethical and irresponsible sourcing, use of hazardous materials, energy-intensive manufacturing processes, and non-biodegradable packing. All of this promotes e-waste generation, which ultimately harms the environment and life on Earth.

4. Unilateral Working

Companies that use planned obsolescence often work solely on their own. Although collaboration with other manufacturers and policymakers can be beneficial for the business as well as the environment, some manufacturers prefer profit over sensible working.

Another major reason for this is the lack of e-waste management rules and regulations in some regions. It makes it difficult for some companies to implement effective recycling and sustainability practices for product design and disposal.

Eco-Friendly Manufacturing System

The eco-friendly manufacturing system encourages ethical and responsible working. It includes sensible materials sourcing, processing, and usage to reduce the e-waste crisis.

• Social Responsibilities

• Optimize materials and resources
• Hybrid Energy System or HES
• Gas Emission Reduction
• E-Waste Management

• Economical Responsibilities

• Adopting the 6R Model (reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, redesign, and remanufacture)
• Life Cycle Assessment of Electronic Waste Treatment
• Closed loop technique for products and processes
• Recycled materials
• Biodegradable materials
• Reuse minerals

• Environmental Responsibilities

• Promoting environmentally friendly products
• Saving energy wherever possible
• Looking out for personnel health and environment

Understanding US E-Waste Laws And Regulations

Here are some rules that govern e-waste management in the US.

• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Extended Producer Responsibility or EPR makes producers and manufacturers responsible for the environmental impact of the product throughout its lifecycle. EPR is shaping the e-waste recycling future by obligating manufacturers to prioritize sustainable design and development and embrace the circular economy practices by:

• Ensuring easy disassembly and recycling
• Providing repair and upgrade services
• Using recycled materials

• Global Harmonization Efforts

Realizing the dangers of e-waste, harmonizing regulations are given more priority. International organizations are taking part in agreements for collaboration against the e-waste crisis, which is also engaging companies against planned obsolescence.

• Import And Export Policies

More than 300,000 metric tons of e-waste is illegally shipped across different countries each year, most of which ends up in African countries. It is extremely dangerous and harmful for people on the other side. To prevent this practice, many countries are taking strict measures to control the import and export of e-waste, focusing on not only stopping illegal trafficking but also ensuring responsible recycling and disposal.

• Encouraging Circular Economy Models

To encourage the use of circular economy models, governments are introducing incentive plans for companies following the practices. They may be able to receive tax breaks and other financial incentives.

• Consumer Awareness Practices

In addition to management and manufacturer’s responsibility regulations, the laws also make it necessary to educate consumers about e-waste, recycling, and sustainable product design. Local awareness campaigns are in motion to inform people regarding recycling options, the harmful effects of the e-waste crisis, and the planned design obsolescence. Moreover, even other businesses are contributing to the cause, for example TED Talks for recycling, sustainability, and eco enthusiasts.

It seems to be working well as recently the Reddit threads erupted against the supposed Google Pixel planned obsolescence. There have been many reports of Pixel phones dying at exactly the 2-year mark or facing different issues like the lockscreen PIN loop.

• Right To Repair Laws

The latest right to repair movement has gained popularity over the past few years. It prohibits manufacturers from installing barriers that restrict repair and upgrade and will give freedom to fix it yourself or from third-party repair service providers.

Final Takeaway

We hope we did justice to define planned obsolescence as a huge contributor to e-waste growth. Although the world is getting more aware, many such practices are still active, promoting the e-waste crisis. The best solution to combat this is collaboration between manufacturers and policymakers, which will filter out companies that use planned obsolescence for their benefit.

The rapid advancements in technology and the growing consumers’ needs are understandable. However, a few responsible choices can benefit the environment as well as our own selves. A report indicates that the latest Generative AI technology could generate 5 million metric tons of e-waste by 2030.

Manufacturers and companies must abide by the regulations and leave behind practices that may lead to severe consequences and health risks – which they will.