Solutions for Individuals, Households and Communities
This page empowers you to become a responsible e-waste champion in your community. Find information and resources to make informed choices about electronics, from advocating for change to managing your own devices effectively.
Become Active
How to Support WEEE Management
1. Advocate for Legislation and Regulations
It is important to support initiatives that enforce extended producer responsibility (EPR) so that manufacturers take complete responsibility for their products throughout their lifecycle, including financing and managing recycling and disposal.
Advocate for laws that enforce longer warranties, mandatory repairability standards, and labels indicating a product’s expected lifespan and repairability.
2. Demand Transparency from Manufacturers
Encourage companies to disclose information about the expected lifespan of their products, the availability of spare parts, and the ease of repair.
Support companies that prioritise sustainability and longevity in their product design and manufacturing processes.
View initiatives that demand and encourage transparency in South Africa or Globally.
3. Choose Repairable and Upgradeable (Modularly Designed) Products
Remember that the most sustainable phone is the phone that is in your hand (reducing consumption is always the best option). However, if you absolutely need to replace it, prioritise products designed for easy repair and upgrades. Look for modular designs where components can be replaced independently.
Support initiatives like “Right to Repair” that empower consumers and independent repair shops to access tools, parts, and information for repairing electronics.
Take a look at Fairphone and other manufacturers priding themselves on ethically sourced and modular designs.
A Personal Checklist to Consider
1. Promote Consumer Education
Educate your community about the benefits of repairing and upgrading electronics rather than constantly replacing them.
Share resources on how to extend the lifespan of electronics through proper maintenance, software updates, and careful handling.
2. Support Repair Communities
Consider joining or promoting a local repair café near you where skilled artisans and volunteers offer free or low-cost fixes for electronics. You can easily find one near you by searching on Google with the keywords ‘local repair cafe’. If you can’t find one, please let us know, and we can assist you in starting a collective.
Participate in online forums and communities focused on repairing and extending the life of electronics.
3. Boycott Products with Short Lifespans
Consider joining or promoting a local repair café near you where skilled artisans and volunteers offer free or low-cost fixes for electronics. You can easily find one near you by searching on Google with the keywords ‘local repair cafe’. If you can’t find one, please let us know, and we can assist you in starting a collective.
Participate in online forums and communities focused on repairing and extending the life of electronics.
Refuse to purchase products known for planned obsolescence or that are difficult to repair.
Support companies that offer longer warranties or product guarantees.
7 Red Flags for Greenwashed Products
1. Vague Claims
- Example: Claims like “eco-friendly,” “green,” or “sustainable” without detailed explanations or certifications.
- Red Flag: Look for specific information about how the product is environmentally friendly. Generic claims often lack substance.
2. Lack of Third-party Certifications
- Example: Products that do not carry recognized eco-labels such as EPEAT, Energy Star, or TCO Certified.
- Red Flag: Authentic certifications provide third-party verification of environmental claims. Absence of these can be a sign of greenwashing.
3. Focus on One Positive Aspect
- Example: Highlighting one green feature, like energy efficiency, while ignoring other environmental impacts like hazardous materials or poor recyclability.
- Red Flag: A truly sustainable product should consider the full lifecycle, including materials, production, use, and disposal.
4. Hidden Trade-offs
- Example: Promoting the product’s reduced carbon footprint while it still uses non-recyclable materials or harmful chemicals.
- Red Flag: Transparency about all aspects of the product’s environmental impact is crucial. Hidden trade-offs indicate selective disclosure. production, use, and disposal.
5. Misleading Labels and Imagery
- Example: Using green colors, leaves, or eco-symbols on packaging without substantial environmental benefits.
- Red Flag: Visual cues can be misleading if not backed by real sustainability practices.
6. Short-term Solutions
- Example: Claiming recyclability or compostability without providing programs or facilities to support it.
- Red Flag: Long-term sustainability requires infrastructure for end-of-life product management.
7. Inconsistent Practices
- Example: A company promoting one eco-friendly product while the rest of its product line remains environmentally harmful.
- Red Flag: Consistency across the product range is essential for genuine commitment to sustainability.
Celebrate the Following Local Initiatives
1. Embrace the Circular Economy
Participate in buy-back programmes offered by some manufacturers, where you can return old devices for recycling or credit toward a new purchase.
Choose refurbished or second-hand electronics to reduce demand for new products and promote reuse.
2. Consumer Pressure and Awareness
Use social media and consumer advocacy platforms to raise awareness about planned obsolescence and its impact.
Support petitions and campaigns that call for sustainable practices in the electronics industry.
3. Collaborate with Organizations and NGOs
Join or support organisations and NGOs that advocate for sustainable electronics, such as the Electronics TakeBack Coalition or the Restart Project.
Participate in events and initiatives that promote repair and sustainability in the electronics industry.
4. Lobby for Change
Engage with policymakers and lawmakers to advocate for regulations that discourage planned obsolescence and promote sustainable practices in WEEE management.
Support initiatives that incentivise manufacturers to design products with longer lifespans and easy repairability.
By collectively adopting these strategies, consumers, organisations, and policymakers can work together to challenge planned and perceived obsolescence in the electronics industry. This shift towards a more sustainable and responsible approach can lead to a more durable, repairable, and environmentally friendly future for electrical and electronic equipment.
Managing What You Have
Keep your devices clean and well-maintained to prolong their lifespan.
Ensure your software is up to date to optimise performance and security.
Use cases and screen protectors to prevent physical damage.
If your device is still functional but you no longer need it, consider donating it to schools, charities, or organisations that can make use of it.
Websites and apps like Facebook Marketplace and Yaga allow you to sell your used electronics to others who might find value in them.
Many manufacturers and retailers offer trade-in programmes where you can exchange your old device for credit towards a new purchase. This extends the life of your device and reduces overall e-waste.
Opt for refurbished or pre-owned electronics when possible. These devices are often restored to like-new condition and can be significantly cheaper than buying new ones.
Instead of buying new electronics, consider renting or leasing them. This is especially useful for items you may only need temporarily, like cameras or projectors.
When your electronics reach the end of their usable life, ensure they are properly recycled. Many communities have e-waste recycling centres or collection events.
Look for certified e-waste recyclers who adhere to environmental and ethical standards. They can safely dismantle and recycle components, including hazardous materials.
When purchasing new electronics, consider products with minimal packaging or packaging made from recycled materials.
Opt for electronic manuals and documentation when available, rather than printed versions.
Instead of immediately replacing a broken device, explore repair options. Many issues, such as cracked screens or faulty batteries, can be fixed by professionals.
Join repair communities or watch online tutorials to learn how to fix minor issues yourself.
Before purchasing new electronics, assess whether you truly need them. Avoid impulse buys and consider the environmental impact of each purchase.
Look for energy-efficient devices with high durability ratings to reduce both energy consumption and the frequency of replacements.
