Planned Obsolescence: The Root Cause Of The Global E-Waste Crisis

A junkyard full of e-waste.

Every year, millions of electronic devices are discarded because of breakage or becoming obsolete. Phones are often thrown away due to breaking within months, the desire for a new, upgraded model the following year, or just as a result of the growing demand for more devices in our increasingly digital world. These are all examples of how electronic waste is created. 

Of course, electronic waste, or e-waste, is just a portion of the global waste crisis. Each year, 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste are generated, with only around a third of this being recycled. However, e-waste is one of the fastest-growing solid waste categories globally. In 2022, an estimated 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced globally, but only 22.3% was formally documented as collected and recycled.

This accelerating trend can be attributed to the shortened lifespans of many devices, often due to planned obsolescence. Planned obsolescence refers to deliberately manufacturing products that require frequent replacement and disposal. Examples of this include upgrading to a newer iPhone for its improved design, being unable to repair headphones due to unavailable parts, or relying on laptops built with poor-quality materials. Planned obsolescence is particularly exploited by big tech companies through both the physical and digital worlds. Smartphone manufacturers often enforce planned obsolescence through software updates, where each update renders older models incompatible, forcing users to upgrade to newer models. Apple’s iOS updates are notorious for slowing down older iPhone models despite having semi-regular updates, leading users to believe that their device is outdated and in need of an upgrade.

Another tactic used by big tech companies is hardware limitations, with new models offering upgrades like better cameras and faster performance that older versions can’t match. These features are rarely upgradeable on older models, which makes them less appealing over time and can pressure consumers to upgrade. By encouraging consumers to view their device as less functional due to a degradation in quality or the release of a newer product, large tech corporations maximize their profits while creating tons of e-waste that causes environmental pollution.

Limited repair options result in increased device disposal, and once discarded, these electronics become major sources of pollution in mixed waste streams, and they release toxic materials. Lead, in particular, is frequently found in devices to join components to circuit boards. Its exposure to the environment can harm humans by affecting multiple body systems and decreasing growth. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), lead exposure alone caused more than 1.5 million deaths globally in 2021. 

Many manufacturers maintain a lack of options for repair, leaving consumers with little choice but to purchase more of their products. Large manufacturers often deliberately withhold access to parts, tools, and service documentation, creating a legal and technical barrier that ultimately allows them to profit at the expense of consumers and the environment. An independent study conducted in 2018 revealed that 45 out of 50 companies required that customers use authorized repair services to maintain warranty coverage. In other words, going to non-approved repair providers to fix your device will get your warranty revoked.

It is essential to acknowledge the impact the tech industry has on the environment and consumers. This is why movements such as the Right to Repair exist. A grassroots initiative and legal theory, the Right to Repair movement promotes the unalienable right to fix, alter, and maintain goods after they have been purchased. By exchanging knowledge and minimizing unnecessary product replacement, the movement aims to provide consumers and repair shops with the legal and technological capabilities to prolong the lifespan of items.

Customers are often prevented from prioritizing repair, leading to an unsustainable cycle of replacement and disposal. As Chief Justice John Marshall famously stated, “It is a general and indisputable rule that where there is a legal right, there is also a legal remedy.” This means that if consumers’ rights are restricted, they should have a legitimate recourse. A circular economy—which reduces the need for overproduction and revitalizes, repurposes, and reuses raw materials—would democratize repair and replace our unsustainable practices.

Calling out manufacturers who are denying access to parts, tools, and service manuals is the first step in combating planned obsolescence. At least one piece of Right to Repair legislation has been introduced in every state. However, there is still a lack of consistency, which leads to gaps that eventually reduce the possibilities for repairs available to customers. In addition to training competent technicians and lowering overall electronic waste, democratizing repair expertise and access can boost local economies. Innovative companies, such as Framework, are creating products centered on modularity, allowing users to modify their laptops according to their needs, rather than replacing the entire device altogether. Supporting companies that strive to improve access to spare parts, competing repairs, trade-in services, or information on how to repair devices is crucial to furthering the movement, as it prevents the ongoing cycle of overconsumption and environmental harm in the technology industry.

The fight for the right to repair is far from finished. In the modern day, where devices have become an extension of ourselves, helping us connect with others, complete schoolwork, and learn more about the world, we must not allow planned obsolescence to compromise the right to repair. Although e-waste currently only represents a small portion of the global waste crisis, it has the potential to grow significantly, as approximately 68.7% of the global population is now connected to the internet, with this number continuing to rise daily. As Louis Rossmann, a supporter of Right to Repair, states, it’s also a cultural movement—“[a] movement among people who want to have the ability to have their property again.” Supporting local repair shops, organizing community efforts to recycle outdated devices, attending public events where tech issues are addressed, and subscribing to the newsletters of Right to Repair organizations are all simple ways though which everyone can help reduce unnecessary e-waste and planned obsolescence.