Teacher content information

What is the e-waste crisis?

Electrical and electronic waste, also known as e-waste, is one of our world's most rapidly increasing global waste streams due to the linear take-make-waste model, which much of society has historically operated on. E-waste is expected to continue to increase drastically from around 53 million tonnes in 2021 to more than 74 million tons by 2030, and the accumulation of this e-waste has devastating consequences for the environment due to the materials and chemicals it contains. The societal, economic and environmental impacts of the electronic products we use daily also reach throughout all stages of their life cycle, from how and where the raw materials are extracted to production, distribution, consumption and eventually disposal.

What is E-Waste? - Closing the E-loop Topic Overview (vimeo.com/866569030/1d731b33a4?share=copy)

What does this unit aim to do?

Technology and electronic devices are a big component of our lives and are especially prevalent in the lives of students who are more technologically connected than ever. This unit allows students to explore the connections between technology and society and understand the impacts of e-waste and the take-make-waste model of electronic products on our society and environment whilst also seeking design solutions to this crisis and advocating for a circular economy.

By learning from experts in this field who are actively trying to implement these circular strategies, students will understand how we can all use a circular economy mindset and continue to reap the positive benefits of our technology whilst also having less of an impact on our environment and the people in it.

These lessons feature interviews created specifically for this unit, with experts from 36 organisations and businesses spanning the entire life cycle of electronic products to give teachers access to the most up-to-date information and show how society is progressing towards sustainability.

Cool would like to acknowledge the generous contribution and expertise of Comsol in creating these interviews for these teaching resources.

Whilst specific interviews and videos are used in the lessons to illustrate and complement the learning activities, all videos and interviews for this unit are available on Vimeo for you to explore and use. If you have a particular topic or lesson you want some expert insight on, we have categorised these interviews to make whatever you’re looking for easy to find.

We also have a library of factsheets that provide information on various topics in this unit:

The E-Waste Crisis
The 8 E-Product Categories
What Influences Our Consumption Habits?
How to be a Sustainable Consumer
Rs of Sustainability
The Value of Eco and Recycling Labels
Tools and Techniques for Iterative Learning
Designing for the Environment
Design Factors to Consider
Designing for the Future: Innovations and Opportunities

Prerequisites

This is the third lesson within the Design & Technology Unit Circular Design Solutions: Addressing the Electronic Waste Crisis. Cool recommends that you teach this lesson as a part of the whole 4-unit package.

For the Tune In

Here are some notes and discussion points when brainstorming ideas for managing e-waste.

Modular design

Designing products that are made up of modules that come apart means that a part can be updated, repaired or replaced instead of replacing the whole thing. This is where repair shops can help us maintain products by repairing them for us or providing us with replacement modules or tools so we can repair products ourselves. Fairphone has approached circularity by being transparent about where the materials have come from and have created phones and a headphone with modular design. This means that if one part has an issue, it can be easily repaired or replaced.

Addressing e-waste

Education is a major part of addressing the e-waste issue. For example, this can be done by providing information about the product at the point of sale, or through online platforms. AppCyclers provides manuals and information kits to people managing electronic products throughout the supply chain via an online platform. By doing this, they are providing education and sharing resources about how to manage products and their materials so they are put to good use in future. Education and providing easy access to information is a great way to assist the flow and reuse of materials throughout the supply chain within a closed-loop system.

Circular services

Services are a fantastic way to respond to the challenges presented by e-waste by seeking out a range of opportunities. This can include creating workplaces focusing on remanufacturing or refurbishing used electronic products. A positive example is Circonomy, which brings together multiple stakeholders to accelerate the growth of the circular economy. In Australia, Cleanaway sorts and recycles plastics and continues to invest in infrastructure that can bring value to waste.

Product passports

Product passports utilise technology so that product parts and components can be traced and utilised. This can make embracing the circular economy easier as companies can have control of the supply chain by having this information. More information on Digital Product Passports can be found from the PSQR or from our Closing The E-Loop Interview with Trace 4 Value for this unit.

Consumer apps and artificial intelligence

It’s important to highlight the e-waste crisis through education and bringing awareness to consumers. Consumer apps can make access to information easier, influencing how people value a product and whether they choose to purchase it. This can also be a way for consumers to relay their needs, which results in more inclusive design.

Artificial intelligence can positively impact by providing data on materials, such as their locations, use and components. While still in its infancy, AI could also be utilised futuristically to help design components made up of recycled materials. More information can be found through our interviews with Utilitarian and Planet Price.

For the Find Out

The objective here is for students to observe these ideas in practice. By working through the case studies, they will see concepts such as modular design and the circular economy in action.

When discussing the circular economy's health, wellbeing and social aspects, you might want to write points on the board so students can respond to questions.

Addressing health and wellbeing can mean:

Safe work conditions
Opportunities for education
Providing parks and public spaces for enjoyment
Opportunities for employment
Engaging local manufacturers so community benefits financially

There are many of the interviews created for this unit that would be good for exploring the concepts in these lessons a little further. We suggest the following, which can be accessed through the Sustainable Electronics Solutions Vimeo for this Unit.

AppCylers
Circonomy
Circular Electronics Partnership
Closing the Loop
Green Planet Sport
Inrego
Karo Sambhav
No More Butts
The Reconnect Project

Differentiation

For students requiring additional support

Pause videos at crucial points and discuss or take notes when working through case studies. Ask students to relay what they found out and ask them to relate it back to a few R’s instead of all 10.

For students requiring extension

Ask students to have a look at HMD Global (Nokia) or Samsung and analyse how they are using recycled materials in phones.

Utilising the Rs of Sustainability in Designing

Go to

Summary

Lesson guides and printables

In this lesson