Columnists

The Story of Stuff project is back with a great new video on e-waste and electronics recycling!
The Story of Electronics explains how electronics, particularly those that we replace often, are harming our health and our environment. The video, and the site linked above, also share how we can demand more durable, safer, fixable goods, what a life-cycle approach to recycling looks like and how to handle the e-waste we have now.

When choosing a phone, music player, speakers, a TV or other electronics, you can choose products that are safer for you and your family (and the people who will make and disassemble your gadget) by avoiding harmful chemicals. Look for the manufacturer’s statement on the use of toxic materials, such as PVC, flame retardants, mercury, lead and others. Here are links to what Apple, Dell and Nokia are doing.

And here’s the Greenpeace guide to Greener Electronics, a handy explanation of what major manufacturers are up to with respect to chemicals and recyclability.

My wish list for better electronics:
- Fewer styles of chargers. Surely we don’t need hundreds of styles and sizes of connectors. Perhaps the mini-USB connector is all we need?
- Chargers that don’t draw phantom power. They’re much better than they used to be, but they’re not ideal yet!
- More repair and upgrade options. Hopefully we’ll start upgrading our phones and other smaller gadgets, for example, with new software, rather than simply replacing them.
- Local materials reclamation, done in a safe manner. I find it’s hard to know how our electronics are being recycled, but at least there are a lot more places to drop them off, and some municipalities are even doing curb-side recycling.

What changes do you think would make electronics less harmful to the environment – and better for you?

Our computers, cameras, MP3 players and other electronic gadgets have become a little greener in the past couple of years. For example:
- Many computer and TV companies are switching from fluorescent to LED lighting in screens and monitors. We don’t yet know if LEDs will actually last longer, but they use a bit less power and they don’t contain mercury.
- Manufacturers have reduced phantom loads by cutting the power devices suck back when not in use.
- They’ve also reduced or eliminated use of many toxic materials from electronics, and some try to avoid sourcing materials from conflict zones (coltan, particularly).

But, to call themselves green, there are still a couple of big hurdles for electronics companies to cross. I got thinking about these when reading this article on the Guardian website. First, they have to try to standardize all the connectors and adapters so that we don’t need a new cord for every device. I’m talking to you, cell phone chargers! Computers, USB is a great start, but please, don’t make me buy another adapter for external monitors and projectors!

Second, electronics companies have to make gadget gear fixable. By us everyday folk. I’m pointing at you, laptops, phones and other gadgets with the built-in batteries that can only be replaced at a repair centre. And you’re not getting off completely, computers that can’t be upgraded with bigger drives or more RAM.

The more we have access to fix and upgrade our gadgets, the better and longer they’ll serve us. Couple that with robust electronics recycling (it’s happening in many areas) and we’ll make a big step toward sustainability.

Do you think electronics companies can do better?