Electronic product returns and potential reuse opportunities: a microwave
case study in the United Kingdom
To ReUse or Not to ReUse?
That appears to be the question in this wonderful study conducted in the U.K last year. The study explored the fates of 189 microwaves taken to recycling centers and the reasons for their being recycled.
What you need to know
Of the microwaves brought to the recycling centers, more than 17% of them were in perfect working condition, with no mechanical or electronic problems. Of the rest, 50% of them were deemed to be repairable for 15 British pounds or less and in under 15 minutes, mainly related to broken power cables. In essence, that means that almost 60% of the microwaves taken to be recycled, could be up and running in under 15 minutes and with a substantially less amount of money than it would cost to purchase a new one. When asked whether the owners planned on upgrading to new and better technology, or whether they planned on sticking with similar equipment, 72% answered they were going to stick to similar technology, with only 5% saying they would upgrade and 23% not answering (Dindarian 2012). This appears to fly in the face of the popular conception that most working or easily repairable e-waste is tossed out in order to upgrade to better technologies. Through more questioning, it was determined that the vast majority of consumers did not know about other options for microwave disposal apart from recycle centers, including donation and .
Suggestions for increasing E-Waste reuse
7 suggestions were made following the study, although only 2 could easily be applied all non-microwave centric waste. Firstly, consumers must become informed of their products and their end lives. Secondly, manufacturers can make small changes to the way their products are built in order to facilitate easier access to internal parts. For example, when trying to replace a commonly damaged componant in a defunct microwave, the repairman was forced to take apart the machine. Of the 38 screws that held together the unit, there were 12 different styles and sizes, making it difficult to open (Dindarian 2012). Simply altering the manufacturing to facilitate the same size and type of screw, repairs could more easily be made. Secondly, reduce the circuit board complexity. This can be accomplished with little change in function, and would likely be more easily accomplished with government sanctioned standards.
That appears to be the question in this wonderful study conducted in the U.K last year. The study explored the fates of 189 microwaves taken to recycling centers and the reasons for their being recycled.
What you need to know
Of the microwaves brought to the recycling centers, more than 17% of them were in perfect working condition, with no mechanical or electronic problems. Of the rest, 50% of them were deemed to be repairable for 15 British pounds or less and in under 15 minutes, mainly related to broken power cables. In essence, that means that almost 60% of the microwaves taken to be recycled, could be up and running in under 15 minutes and with a substantially less amount of money than it would cost to purchase a new one. When asked whether the owners planned on upgrading to new and better technology, or whether they planned on sticking with similar equipment, 72% answered they were going to stick to similar technology, with only 5% saying they would upgrade and 23% not answering (Dindarian 2012). This appears to fly in the face of the popular conception that most working or easily repairable e-waste is tossed out in order to upgrade to better technologies. Through more questioning, it was determined that the vast majority of consumers did not know about other options for microwave disposal apart from recycle centers, including donation and .
Suggestions for increasing E-Waste reuse
7 suggestions were made following the study, although only 2 could easily be applied all non-microwave centric waste. Firstly, consumers must become informed of their products and their end lives. Secondly, manufacturers can make small changes to the way their products are built in order to facilitate easier access to internal parts. For example, when trying to replace a commonly damaged componant in a defunct microwave, the repairman was forced to take apart the machine. Of the 38 screws that held together the unit, there were 12 different styles and sizes, making it difficult to open (Dindarian 2012). Simply altering the manufacturing to facilitate the same size and type of screw, repairs could more easily be made. Secondly, reduce the circuit board complexity. This can be accomplished with little change in function, and would likely be more easily accomplished with government sanctioned standards.
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