Sustainable Electronics: Innovations That Help the Planet

Key Takeaways:

• The electronics industry has gotten a bad rap when it comes to the size of its carbon footprint, hazardous waste, high energy consumption, and environmental impact. 
• Sustainable electronics encompasses recent innovations in electronics design, manufacturing, and packaging to be more environmentally friendly.
• The electronics industry recognizes the need to shift practices that put sustainability at the core of operations. 

The electronics industry accounts for about 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to a report by IDTechEx. Maxey Moverley, an electronic engineering service, says that for every 1 kilogram of electronics produced, almost 25 kilograms of carbon emissions are released into the atmosphere. 

Because of this, the electronics industry doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, high energy consumption, hazardous waste, and its overall environmental impact. 

However, the industry wants to do better. More than that, it’s imperative that the industry does better. 

It may appear that the words “sustainable” and “electronics” do not go together, but significant advancements and innovations have made this possible. Best of all, these innovations improve the current state of the electronics industry. 

A Shift in Materials Used

One of the pillars of sustainable electronics has to do with the materials used in manufacturing electronic devices. Many electronics manufacturers today are focused on materials that are easily recyclable. Developing recyclable/bio-based materials, exploring components derived from organic plastics, and coming up with more efficient ways of recycling have become part of sustainable electronics practices. 

A good example of this is the use of polylactic acid (PLA), which is made from fermented plant starch. Some plastics are even made from shrimp skin. Bioplastics are being explored as alternatives to traditional plastics. 

Alternative materials and recycling processes are also being developed. Some notable methods help reduce e-waste. Recycling materials derived from old electronics and repurposing electronic devices that have reached the end of their life cycle reduce their environmental impact. 

A new design for sustainable electronics

A marked shift in how electronic devices are designed to support a more sustainable future has become a cornerstone of sustainable electronics. 

Following the principles of “design for disassembly” (DfD) and “design for longevity”, many electronic gadgets are starting to feature modularity. This means that the designs allow for easy customization and easy disassembly. Easy disassembly of components means they’re easier to recycle and easy to replace. 

Energy efficiency also figures heavily in the design of new devices. Sustainable electronics is very conscious of how efficiently a device makes use of energy. 

For the last decade or so, energy-efficient features found in home appliances such as air-conditioners, washing machines, and cookers have become the norm. Inverters are known to cut an appliance or device’s energy consumption by as much as half of its traditional counterparts. 

Challenges for Sustainable Electronics

The electronics industry is pivoting towards more sustainable practices, but challenges and hurdles do exist. 

First, the cost involved in developing new, more sustainable materials and methods can be quite high, compared to traditional materials and ways of making things. A higher cost will impact the price of the final product. 

Cybersecurity concerns also come into play. According to Sustainable Brands, as previously manual processes become more digitized, the risk of cyberattacks grows. 

Finally, the electronics industry needs help from its consumers, too. A shift in attitude and outlook helps the industry in developing more devices that will benefit the environment, especially in the long run. Exposure and education on new and available innovations are needed, and open opportunities for acceptance from consumers, as well as demand for better and more sustainable products.