David Hughes, IAA Knowledge Exchange Associate, at the James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow asks "How can we make consumer electronics more sustainable?"
At a recent Sustainability Salon hosted by David Hughes and REACT Centre: Responsible Electronics And Circular Technologies, academics and key stakeholders explored the major challenges - and potential solutions. The session featured valuable insights from Zero Waste Scotland, representatives of The Scottish Parliament, WEEE Scotland Ltd. and i4 Product Design.
The discussions were organised around two primary themes: systemic issues and technical challenges. Academics from the Universities of Glasgow, Herriot Watt, Edinburgh, and Strathclyde, alongside representatives from industry, Zero Waste Scotland and the Scottish Parliament, shared insights into the opportunities and obstacles in the path towards a more sustainable Scotland.
Systemic issues
Gerry from WEEE Scotland highlighted his company’s efforts to enhance circularity within the electronics industry and expand Scotland’s capacity to manage its own waste. His contributions were instrumental in pinpointing areas where REACT academics can make the most impact. The Salon also identified the need to engage more collaborators from different sectors. To address this, we will be organising further discussions with representatives from the manufacturing sector. This initiative aligns with the Scottish Parliament’s recent announcement of an Area of Research Interest in Waste Management, underscoring the policy focus on this critical issue.
Technical challenges
On the product innovation front, several projects have emerged from the Salon, aiming to demonstrate the feasibility of producing common electronic devices without batteries, thereby significantly reducing waste. Istvan from i4Product Design provided valuable insights into which devices could benefit from innovative solutions beyond traditional battery use. There is a strong drive among Scottish academics to prove to industry that these sustainable changes are not only possible but also economically viable. I
Future Salons
The next Sustainability Salon will revisit a previous topic, and it's evident that the discussions on sustainable electronics deserve further attention in a future Salon as well.