The technology industry generates more than 50 million tonnes of electronic waste each year and is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world. This staggering amount reveals the fundamental flaws in the way we consume, produce, and dispose of technology. As technology advances, it is a challenge to manage its use, yet our method of managing our tech resources remains in a linear, wasteful model. The solution lies in creating an economy of circular technology that focuses on reuse, repair, and rethinking how we use technology. This change isn’t only an environmental necessity; it’s an opportunity for economic growth that could change the entire landscape of industries and provide lasting value for companies as well as consumers.
The Current Linear Model
Our technology-driven world is based on a “take, make, dispose” model, which treats resources as unlimited and garbage as natural. Businesses design products that are designed to avoid obsolescence and encourage customers to update their devices frequently instead of maintaining their existing devices. This has led to an environment where “new” automatically implies better quality, and repairs are usually more costly than replacing. The effects go beyond landfills that are overflowing. Rare earth minerals that are essential to electronics are extracted by environmentally harmful processes, usually in regions that have limited protections for the environment. In addition, the energy needed for the creation of new devices surpasses the energy required to extend the lifespan of existing ones. This approach has also concentrated wealth into only a handful of big manufacturers while causing dependency instead of empowerment among consumers.
Reuse
Reusing technology is the quickest step towards circularity. This is more than just consumers selling old phones. It requires the use of systematic strategies to extend the life of a product. Corporate refresh programs for technology are a good example. They can move the functional equipment to schools, nonprofit organizations, or emerging markets instead of disposal facilities. Refurbishment companies are emerging as major economic drivers, generating jobs and decreasing the amount of waste. Companies such as Gazelle as well as Swappa have created profitable businesses around the reuse of devices, which has proven that secondary markets are both profitable and sustainable. The key to maximizing reuse is in changing views of “used” technology. If properly maintained, older devices can be adapted to satisfy the requirements of a large number of users who do not require the latest technology.
Repair
Repair economy is an important shift from a disposal-based culture to a maintenance culture. Right-to-repair groups across the globe are advocating for laws that require manufacturers to offer repair manuals and spare parts as well as diagnostic tools. It’s not just about fixing damaged screens but about creating a system that makes repair accessible, cheap, and standardized. Repair shops that were independent and previously restricted by manufacturers have gained a new relevance as people seek alternatives to costly repairs from official repair shops. Businesses such as iFixit have made repair information accessible to everyone and provide step-by-step directions that allow users to repair their own devices. The repair industry also generates local jobs that aren’t outsourced, thereby contributing to local economic growth. Repair becomes more simple and less expensive as replacements become available; this profoundly affects consumer behavior and incentives for manufacturing.
Reimagine
Reimagining technology requires challenging the fundamental assumptions of how devices are designed and used. They must also be integrated into our daily lives. Modular design principles enable users to upgrade parts rather than whole devices, as shown by projects such as Fairphone as well as Framework laptops. This method requires manufacturers to look beyond their individual products to ecosystems and platforms. Cloud computing and software-as-a-service models already demonstrate how functionality can be delivered without requiring powerful local hardware. It is clear that the Internet of Things presents both challenges and opportunities for circular design. Moreover, while it can increase the quantity of gadgets connected, it also facilitates greater efficiency in resource usage through shared systems and automated maintenance. Reimagining also requires considering alternative ownership models, including services that provide devices to manufacturers, allowing them to retain the ownership and accountability for the entire life cycle of their product.
Benefits
The advantages of a circular tech-based economy span economic and environmental as well as social aspects. The environmental benefits of circular technology can reduce the amount of electronic waste up to 80%, while drastically reducing the requirement to extract raw materials. In terms of economics, the circular economy can produce $4.5 trillion in benefits worldwide in 2030, with the sector of technology leading this expansion. Job creation ranges from highly skilled engineering and design roles to local repair and renovation jobs. Companies that follow circular principles frequently find higher profit margins due to decreased costs for material and new sources of revenue through secondary and service markets. For customers, circular technology can mean the ability to purchase more affordable gadgets and less pressure to upgrade, and products that are designed to last instead of obsolescence. Additionally, it will lead to more creativity as companies compete for the durability and repairability of their products instead of simply attributes.
Challenges
Implementing the circular tech economy model has significant structural and social issues. Manufacturing systems in place are designed for the production of large amounts of disposable products, which makes the process costly and complicated. Intellectual property laws often interfere with repair efforts, creating legal obstacles to achieving circularity. The behavior of consumers, as shaped by years of upgrade-focused marketing and a slow pace of change, isn’t going to change overnight. The global nature of supply chains for technology makes coordinated circular strategies difficult to manage and implement. Technical challenges include the design of repair and disassembly while ensuring quality as well as security and aesthetic standards. Current economic incentives prioritize linear models, necessitating policymakers’ intervention to ensure fairness. Standardization and accreditation programs must address security and safety concerns regarding used devices. Perhaps most significantly, the transition requires coordination across multiple stakeholders—manufacturers, retailers, consumers, policymakers, and waste management systems.
Taking Action Today
A circular tech economy isn’t just a dream; it’s taking place now with gradual changes that are gaining momentum. It’s all about collaboration between manufacturers who embrace circular design and policymakers who create supportive frameworks, and customers who make informed choices about their technology use. The process is gradual but transformational, with the need for persistence and a determination from all those involved. The issue isn’t if we can afford to create a circular economy; however, it’s whether we can afford to not. The time to reconsider our relationship to technology is right now.
FAQs
1. What is it that makes a product of technology “circular”?
Circular technology products are built to last, be repairable, and allow for the eventual recycling of the components. This is due to modularity and the availability of spare parts, repair documentation, and reusable components.
2. What can individuals as consumers do to help create a circular technology market?
Consumers can purchase refurbished gadgets or repair them instead of replacing them whenever possible, offer or donate used devices, and aid businesses that focus on the circular principles of design.
3. What part can governments play in the development of circular tech-based economics?
Governments are able to implement right-to-repair legislation, set up fiscal incentives to encourage circular businesses, set up e-waste collection programs, and establish standards for the durability of products and repairability.
