Picture this: over 50 million tonnes of e-waste is produced globally, every single year.
That equates to over 25 million cars being taken off the roads each year and thrown into landfill, without considering the consequences for the world we live in.
That’s a wild figure and it’s something we should factor into our buying decisions, because it’s clear that consumers play a significant part in this staggeringly high turnover.
From laptops to computers, televisions, gaming consoles and large household appliances, we’re constantly throwing out the old to make way for the new.
Cottonbro Studio
Cottonbro Studio
Cottonbro Studio
Considering the fast-paced culture we live in, convenience and technology enable us to purchase anything we want at the click of a button. As a collective we need to reflect on how we can do better. What simple steps can we take to reduce the technology we throw away?
Let’s be honest. In most cases, the key restraining factor is money. In large part due to the cost of living crisis, many of us can’t afford to buy new products every time something breaks or whenever we want a shiny new gadget. But there’s cause to be optimistic in our capacity to be swayed by more sustainable consumer choices. Research shows that more consumers want to adopt and live a more authentic and sustainable lifestyle.
This leads on to my own sustainable story.
As a mother of two, I live for the moments I can suck up from the living room floor the snack crumbs, garden mud and whatever other flavours of dirt my kids love to bring indoors.
I’m clearly not alone in being a dust-buster-debris-destroyer, as the vacuum cleaner market in the United Kingdom alone is forecast to grow by 4.6% in the next five years. In the UK alone this year, the revenue generated by vacuum cleaners will amount to $1.1 billion.
But unfortunately for me, my day came to a horrifying halt the moment my vacuum wouldn’t switch on. Cue the beads of sweat and lakes of frustration.
It was a Shark vacuum I’d bought at the end of 2019, just before my first kid arrived on the scene and prior to Covid rearing its ugly head. Who knew that a single machine would be my saving grace during some of the most exhausting and hardest days of my life?
And the best part? Its soothing, magical hum worked like a charm to lull my little one to sleep during the afternoon. It’s an appliance that I’ve grown attached to – and with good reason.
When I delved deeper into the world of vacuum mechanics, I quickly realised that my lack of expertise made it impossible to even know where to start. Back in the day, I would’ve chucked it out without a second thought, but now that I’ve embraced my green parenting era, I hauled it over to my local repair shop within the hour.
The initial assessment was provided free of charge and I was informed that a comprehensive service, as well as repairs to the power lead, the fuse, and a hole somewhere inside the vacuum, would cost me £90.
This may seem like a lot to spend, but buying the updated version of the same model (as my beloved model was no longer in production) would have cost over £250, plus delivery fees.
Repairing was the smarter choice and is something I wouldn’t hesitate to do again. And, given that even mid-range models are now approaching the £400 threshold, investing in repairs could result in significant cost savings for many households.
From here on out, my partner and I have solemnly sworn to upgrade our consumer game and venture deeper into eco-friendly options for our gadgets and gizmos aplenty.
Whether that involves scouring online marketplaces for budget-friendly alternatives or delving into to the world of repairs to give our tech a new lease of life, that first repair led to an epiphany.
We don’t need, or want, to splurge on replacements and upgrades. At the end of the day, it’s our bank accounts and our world that emerge victorious from this grand tech repairing adventure.
How to get your tech repaired
Not all the electronics in your home will be repairable, but that is changing. The UK’s ‘Right to Repair’ law was introduced in July 2021, but at this stage, it only covers certain categories of appliances and devices – white goods, TVs and electronic displays. Four states in the US have passed a similar Right to Repair Act.
The legislation, and the right to repair movement, is focused on fighting planned obsolescence, ensuring that appliances and devices are repairable, and that parts for repair are available.
In the meantime, if an appliance breaks, your best bet is to find a local repair shop and ask if they can assist you with a free quote. You can find one by searching online directories, or by using search engines with keywords such as “tech gadget repair shops near me” to find nearby options.
If there’s no hope for repair, the most sustainable way to replace it is to buy refurbished. Refurbished appliances and devices will save you money and give used appliances a new lease of life.
But there are no universal rules on how refurbished products are rated, so it’s a good idea to buy from somewhere reputable. Both Shark and Dyson have stores on eBay for selling their own refurbished products. Check out our round-up of the best vacuum cleaners we’ve tested, for buying inspiration.
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