#e-waste

#e-waste

We all have a favorite purchase that we'd love to last forever. Maybe it's a fuzzy blanket that nothing comes close to replicating, or a limited-edition, circa-2008 bedazzled iPod shuffle. As priceless as these things feel, they're not infallible. You've got about two to three years, give or take, before your beloved bed sheets and feather pillows are going to give up the ghost and need replacing.

Millions of tons of discarded electronics from the United States are being shipped overseas, much of it to developing countries in Southeast Asia unprepared to safely handle hazardous waste, according to a new report by an environmental watchdog. The Seattle-based Basel Action Network, or BAN, said a two-year investigation found at least 10 U.S. companies exporting used electronics to Asia and the Middle East, in what it says is a "hidden tsunami" of electronic waste.

His findings were interpreted by a group of artists for the show at the Last Shot Gallery. Maslin says the environmental impact of tech consumption is estimated to account for 6% of the human-driven climate crisis double that of the aviation industry. There is a lack of awareness that all the gadgets people are using and replacing are contributing to overconsumption, huge pollution and climate change, he said.

With Windows 10 reaching end of life on 14 October, enterprises and consumers alike globally will be making the shift to Microsoft's newer operating system. While issues like security and device compatibility have become common recurring talking points, concerns have been rising about a looming torrent of e-waste, with thousands of tonnes of waste expected in the UK alone. A key factor behind this is that many older devices aren't capable of running the newer operating system, rendering them obsolete and bound for the scrapheap.

Gold worth more than £1.6 billion could be recovered from UK devices obsoleted when Microsoft discontinues free support on October 14, according to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) experts at Businesswaste.co.uk. The eye-popping number comes from taking the UK's share of the global PC market and applying it to the current best guess of how many devices are unable to accept the Windows 11 upgrade, respectively corresponding to 3.6 percent and 400 million devices. This translates to 14.4 million obsolete PCs in the UK.

The pending release of Apple's iOS 26 could see around 75 million iPhones rendered obsolete, generating more than 1.2 million kilograms of e-waste globally, according to new research. The next major version of Cupertino's mobile operating system is scheduled to be released this month following its announcement at WWDC in June. That will affect the owners of aging iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max devices, which are to be excluded from the update, according to waste management operation Business Waste.

Buying a GPS watch isn't a casual purchase. Most runners are dropping somewhere between $300 and $800 on a device they expect to last years. At that price, you're not just paying for battery life or training metrics. You're buying into a promise of reliability, toughness, and support if something goes sideways. But when things do break - and they do - the story often falls apart. Cracked screens. Busted buttons. Dead batteries. None of these issues should mean a watch is done for,

Apple has officially added the Apple Watch Series 1 to its 'obsolete' list, meaning users will lack support for repairs or parts.

The upcoming expiration of Microsoft Windows 10 support could lead to an estimated 400 million obsolete machines worldwide, significantly increasing e-waste.

Coros now offers a third choice for smartwatch repair: exchange select models for a factory refurbished replacement at a cost significantly lower than buying a new device.

In Germany, throwing electronic waste in mixed trash is illegal; supermarkets and electronics stores act as designated drop-off points to safely dispose of e-waste.

Samsung's Certified Renewed program offers refurbished Galaxy S24 smartphones at discounted prices, promoting e-waste reduction while ensuring quality comparable to new devices.

In honor of Earth Day, Samsung has launched its Certified Renewed program for Galaxy S24 series, promoting sustainable practices by offering refurbished flagship Android phones.

The Trump administration will no longer collect government-issued devices from terminated USAID employees, leaving them responsible for disposal of sensitive equipment.