Letters | E-waste from green tech shouldn’t be swept under the carpet
- Readers discuss the consequences of upgrade culture, China’s renewable energy developments, and an idea for Hong Kong’s IPO market
Developing countries in Asia and Africa have been the recipients of much of this e-waste, which contains toxic elements such as lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic. If recycling is not done properly, workers might be exposed to these contaminants, which could also leach into the environment. Meanwhile, people in affluent countries remain largely unaffected.
This problem is worsened by the growing frequency with which consumers replace smartphones, laptops, household appliances and even vehicles. In the United Kingdom, for instance, 28 per cent replace phones every one to two years, while 40 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds do so within two years.
The advent of green tech has exacerbated this trend. Older gadgets are being replaced with electronics boasting green, more energy-efficient features. Consumers, immersed in upgrade culture, are attracted by affordable deals and promotions that brand products as environmentally friendly.
However, the constant replacement of items with electronic components only adds to the growing amount of e-waste, outpacing our ability to manage it. These changes will be turbocharged by artificial intelligence.