It’s time to stop relying on recycling as the only solution to the climate crisis
Technology undoubtedly defines the way we live and is embedded into almost every part of our daily lives. While the prospect of new technology may provide some people with temporary joy, its impact on the planet is much more long-lasting. In fact, the digital industry is predicted to represent 14% of the total global emissions by 2040 - that’s more than the entire aviation industry, and if things stay the way they are, the carbon footprint of the digital industry is predicted to quadruple by this time.
It is positive to see developments being taken towards reducing the e-waste in the UK. A recent government consultation proposed important steps towards reduction of e-waste in the UK. It suggested that, instead of consumers, it should be manufacturers that fund the collection of e-waste like phones and laptops.
However, while an important development, it is clear that policymakers place too much of an emphasis on recycling, and fail to account for other, more sustainable options: namely ‘repair and reuse’ schemes. E-waste has become the fastest-growing waste stream, with 50 million tons generated annually worldwide, so recycling at this scale, just is not an option.
Producing a single smartphone uses 267 kg of raw materials - accessing raw materials in this quantity requires invasive techniques like mining, blasting, and drilling. Only 17.4% of the e-waste generated from new devices is properly collected and recycled each year.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/it-s-time-to-stop-relying-on-recycling-as-the-only-solution-to-the-climate-crisis/ar-BB1r23rG?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=9f303e5e510646a5ad552323960cee0d&ei=66
