The digital world depends on electronic devices like smartphones, laptops, and servers. However, these products come with heavy environmental and ethical costs, from rare earth mining to growing e-waste streams.
Electronics rely on finite resources like lithium, cobalt, gold, and rare earth elements. These materials are often mined under unsafe conditions and have significant ecological footprints.
Globally, over 50 million tonnes of e-waste are generated annually. Many devices are landfilled or burned, releasing toxins and wasting recoverable metals. Formal recycling systems recover only a fraction.
Modular design and right-to-repair laws are essential for sustainable electronics. Devices should allow battery replacement, easy disassembly, and software support beyond 3–5 years.
Most emissions from electronics occur during production, especially chip manufacturing. Cloud infrastructure also contributes via data center energy use, largely dependent on national energy mixes.
Key improvements include longer product lifespans, manufacturer take-back programs, closed-loop recycling, and labels like Energy Star or TCO Certified. Digital minimalism and device-sharing models also reduce demand.