The Dangers of E-Waste on Sustainability: From the Common Handset and Charger to Reusable Phone Batteries
From phone chargers to phone batteries, most of these electronics contribute to the growing e-waste in our society. In June 2009, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the EU in which phone manufacturers agreed to harmonize chargers for new models of handsets that came into the market as early as 2011. The MoU committed to the industry to provide charger compatibility of the micro-USB connector. As a result of the agreement, Europe's major mobile phone manufacturers agreed to adopt a universal charger for data-enabled mobile phones sold in the EU as well. At the end of 2012, the MoU expired, but it has been effectively extended by a number of signatures through two letters of intent, signed in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
Recently, the European Union (EU) had been working on new legislation that would force phone makers to use a common charger technology for all mobile phones. The EU’s goal was to promote the common use of mobile phone chargers. In 2009, 500 million mobile phones were in use in all EU countries. The number has definitely skyrocketed since then at the turn of the decade as more and more people rely on phones to access the internet and to communicate with colleagues, friends, and family. In the past years, specific chargers were only compatible with the specific phone it was intended. Additionally, chargers varied by manufacturer and model, leading to the general inconvenience for customers, and added to the total of electronic waste.
This February, members of the European Parliament (MEP) voted for a single universal charging solution for small portable devices, which Apple was against, but the resolution passed with 582 votes in favor to 40 against. MEPs will now discuss with the European Commission (EC) to adopt the new rules. The MEPs goal is to have consumers use a single charger for all smartphone and tablet models, but the devices themselves could still, in theory, use different ports. The motivation behind this calling was to try to separate the sale of a charger from that of a new mobile device, and instead, encourage consumers to re-use the chargers they already own.
European politicians have been campaigning for this common standard for the past decade, with the EC estimating that non-usable cables generate more than 51,000 tonnes of waste every year. "In 2009, there were more than 30 charging solutions, while today there are three charger types," a press release from the European Parliament said. Ben Wood, an analyst with research firm CCS Insight, thinks this is a step in the right direction but warns on how sustainability could limit innovation: "Given the current trend towards sustainability and a reduction in e-waste, this seems like a sensible move. However, the EU needs to be careful not to stifle innovation by mandating a certain technology indefinitely."
In recent months, the EU has made another proposal: to allow for more accessibility to reusable phone batteries. This proposal will allow users to replace worn-out or malfunctioning phone batteries. Currently, phone manufacturers have made closed phone cases. Closed phone cases prevent users from replacing the battery unless if they want to break a warranty or have special tools to open the phone. Today, vendors don’t provide a battery as a standalone part. Replaceable batteries are only allowed if you are with an approved phone repair program, which is an additional expense and which most consumers aren’t under. This manufacturing concept has increased levels of e-waste considerably throughout the years, as companies have tended to drive users towards replacing entire devices rather than just for a battery.
The proposal will not ultimately detail imposing a common battery format, as it is not technically possible. Most battery models are built for specific phones and come with size restrictions, different connectors, patented technology. However, they are in the works of pitching this solution of easily replaceable batteries and a way to hold phone corporations accountable throughout manufacturing, if this proposal passes. The EU’s general effort here is to reduce e-waste by encouraging better raw material reuse and longer-lived devices.
A decade ago, users could easily purchase and replace a battery in all smartphones without them being apprehensive that they would break a warranty or need advanced tools or tech knowledge. However, in recent years, smartphone makers realized they could accelerate smartphone replacement cycles, and indirectly profits, by restricting access to malfunctioning parts, which are mainly batteries. Profit is their main motivation behind these closed phone cases, and as a result of their non-sustainable efforts, this decision has greatly hurt the environment and increased e-waste. Now is the time for corporations to take a second look at their notorious impact on the environment and reconsider their primary values and motivations.
Want to learn more?
European Commission's (EC) "One Mobile Phone Charger For All" Proposal
MEPs Vote For Universal Charger for Smartphones
EU Working on Proposal to Bring Back Easily Replaceable Smartphone Batteries
Currently, Apple makes two different types of iPhone wall plugs, one with a USB-A port (left), the other with a USB-C port (right).