Ecological Impact
The effects of planned obsolescence go far beyond its economic repercussions. When consumers frequently replace products with new items the old items must go somewhere. Only a portion of these are recycled or resold, while a large majority is dumped in landfills or sent overseas. Combined with the over-consumption of limited natural resources, planned obsolescence adds to environmental destruction we may not be able to come back from.
Recycling?In 2009 only 25% of electronic waste was recycled, the rest ended up in landfills. 50-80% of the 'recycled' waste was shipped to developing nations. This electronic waste is labeled “used electronics" or "donations," and is dumped into landfills or salvaged by laborers who extract the valuable materials while exposing themselves to toxic substances and gases.
In Guiyu, China, one of the villages where electronic waste is frequently exported, the lead levels in children were 50% higher than that of surrounding villages, as well as 50% higher than CDC safety limits. In 2007, 70% of electronic waste handled by India was estimated to be from other nations. Much of the recycled waste that remains in the U.S. is salvaged by prisoners who are also exposed to the same toxic materials. As of 2013 the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimated 40 million metric tons of electronic waste. The UNEP estimates that cell phone waste will increase 18 times, computer waste will increase five times, and television waste will double, by the year 2020. |
Resources are limited!The implications of planned obsolescence are not limited to the enormous amount of hazardous waste that creates pollution and affects the health of those who handle it. The more products are created, the more environmental resources (such as wood, ore, fossil fuels, and water) are needed, causing these finite resources to deplete much quicker than otherwise would happen. Additionally, the factories that the products are made in create toxic chemicals and by-products, and even the use of the products themselves (such as cars) create pollution.
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ECOPOL Environmental Blog
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