Introduction
Did you know that all the waste created in 2023 is enough to build something larger than the Great Wall of China? That’s right! More than 61.3 million tonnes of laptops, mobile phones, and SIM cards were discarded last year. Therein lies the problem. It’s inevitable that this reliance on technology would create waste. What are some steps we can take towards reducing digital waste? Is there a sustainable way for us to develop technologically? How do we move forward as a society without completely depleting natural resources? Can we change our ways in time so that our future generations inherit more than electronic landfill accumulation?
We believe there is a way.
In this blog, we will discuss how we can reduce our digital waste by promoting a more responsible digital lifestyle. There are many aspects of digital consumption that can be addressed by policy changes, but it all starts with a shift in consumers’ buying behavior. Let’s dive into it.
Definition of Digital Waste
In order to reduce digital waste, we must first understand what this is and why it is such a huge problem. Think of it like this. In the past year, have you switched out your phone, laptop, charger, or any other electronic device? What was the reason? Are you upgrading your devices just because there are newer ones on the market, or are you switching because the item is no longer of use to you?
With technology becoming more sophisticated, cheaper, and easier to access, more electronics are being discarded. And this is made worse by the fact that the lifespan of these devices is getting shorter and shorter. In fact, more and more brands are intentionally coming out with devices that stop working after a year or two due to software updates. So, it isn’t a question of whether consumers are buying more electronics. These devices have to stop working so you, the consumer, can have a reason to buy more.
Importance of Reducing Digital Waste
Waste, whether electronic or not, is a threat to the environment. But electronic waste can prove more harmful for several reasons. For one, many of our digital devices contain metals, minerals, and plastics. These resources are expensive, and the extraction process is a grave threat to the environment. Not to mention, many tech giants are involved in the extraction of these resources through unethical means such as the exploitation of indigenous people for slave labor. So, how can we counter this problem? Here are a few strategies.
Assessing Current Digital Consumption Habits
In 2019, only 78 of the 193 countries had adopted the regulations and legislation of E-waste. In order to make a difference, we must first take into account the consumption habits that brought us here. This can also help in mapping out targeted strategies that will help minimize digital waste as well as its effect on the environment. An important factor to consider is awareness and global participation.
Understanding Personal Digital Footprint
One way that we can all reduce digital waste today is by assessing our own digital footprint. This includes assessing your downloads, social media profiles, cloud storage, and the like. We must look at how many devices we use or what kind of technology surrounds us. This also includes smartphones, tablets, SIM cards, etc. All of this adds up.
Identifying Areas of Excess Consumption
By assessing your digital footprint, you can determine where you have been engaging excessively. For many of us, a laptop or a phone is a necessity. We need them to work or for school. But it is not about cutting back on necessities; it is about realizing where you are hoarding digital clutter.
A good example of this would be buying a SIM card for using mobile data every time you travel. You might think, it is just a SIM, how wasteful can it be? But the number adds up when you think about how many mobile devices there are in the world. How many offer dual sim card slots, and how many people own or use multiple sim cards.
The solution is something we have all heard of before. An eSIM card such as Superhero has the unique ability to not only increase digital connectivity and reliance but do so without creating any waste.
An eSIM completely replaces traditional SIM cards that come in little non-degradable plastic pouches. eSIMs do not have to be replaced or changed, streamlining the process of accessing the internet without consumption. If more people traveled with eSIM cards such as Superhero, there would be significantly less electronic waste generated. It is important to consider the ecological sanctity of any location that we travel to. Carrying an eSIM is only a small step in the right direction.
Sustainable Consumption Practices
One of the most understated ways of reducing digital waste is to buy second-hand. Laptops, mobile phones, cameras, you name it. We as a society have been tricked into thinking that getting the latest iPhone will solve all our problems. But it is actually the other way around. By purchasing your devices secondhand, you can significantly reduce digital waste, and overconsumption, which is one of our greatest problems.
Refurbished and repaired devices work just as well, and won’t break the bank. It is important to promote a culture of conscious consumption, especially in this day and age where advertising has become increasingly powerful.
Conclusion
Reducing digital waste is the single most important thing we can do to create a sustainable future. There are many ways to make the most out of the technology available to us. It doesn’t have to come at the cost of the environment’s preservation. Whether it is buying a used phone instead of a new one or investing in an eSIM for your next international trip, it is important that we start somewhere and continue to work towards a sustainable future.
