This guest article written by Component Sense was originally published by Electronics World in October 2024.
Electronic waste (e-waste) contains toxic substances, such as cadmium, mercury, lead, and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). These materials harm both the environment and human health. Toxins can contaminate soil and water sources, particularly in parts of the world where unregulated recycling and dumping occur, putting human health at risk [1].
A key strategy to reduce e-waste and its impact is to extend the lifespan of materials. This involves using components and rare earth elements (REEs) for as long as possible before proper disposal.
Current e-waste trends
E-waste is a global problem, and its severity is quickly growing. Whether a consumer device, such as a tablet or television, or standalone components that go into manufacturing such technology, e-waste is one of the fastest-growing solid waste streams. In fact, 62 million tonnes were created in 2022. This number is anticipated to rise by 32% to 82 million tonnes by 2030 [2].
The key drivers behind this increase include the growing demand for consumer electronics, a replacement mentality, and the rapid pace of technological advancement, all of which shorten product lifecycles.
Frequent design pivots may lead to the rapid accumulation of excess and obsolete (E&O) component inventory that eventually ends up being dumped. E&O stock refers to components that are surplus to requirements, typically caused by inaccurate demand forecasting or design changes.
With so few REEs recovered from electronics, the demand for raw resource extraction increases. For electronic manufacturers, preventing the unnecessary disposal of surplus components has a large role to play. Only 22.3% of e-waste was recycled in 2022 [3].
The average lifespan of a component
When considering ways to extend the lifetime value of components, one must first understand the typical lifespan—or ‘shelf life’— of a component. How long a component lasts generally depends on the type of part and how it is looked after.
When handled and stored correctly, semiconductors can last over fifteen years, while capacitors, due to their sensitivity to moisture, may last only around ten years. Proper storage ensures parts remain usable in the supply chain, preventing needless scrapping or disposal.
Temperature can damage components, so storing them in a temperature-controlled environment is crucial. Electrostatic discharge can degrade parts, meaning grounding equipment and an anti-static environment are vital. Moisture build-up can cause ‘popcorning’ when devices heat up during soldering. This is when a part literally pops, and it is why adhering to MSL guidelines and packaging is essential.
If components are looked after and remain pristine, companies can implement strategies to put them to use long into their shelf life and prevent e-waste.
The circular solution
In a truly circular electronics sector, consumer products would be repaired and components redistributed, with recycling as a last resort. Following a take, make, use, collect, refurbish, redistribute, and recycle approach slows and narrows resource loops, as opposed to the typical linear supply chain model.
The secondary market for the electronics sector promotes circularity by enabling the redistribution of surplus and obsolete components. Here, an electronic manufacturer’s unwanted stock can be redistributed to another manufacturer for use instead of disposal, extending the part’s lifetime value. In many cases, redistributed inventory is in entirely different sectors.
Some companies may have concerns about counterfeit components in the secondary market, but by partnering with trusted redistributors like Component Sense, the secondary market is safe and financially beneficial for large OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and EMSs (electronics manufacturing services).
Another element of a circular economy is the right to repair. This movement is growing, with many governments implementing right-to-repair legislation, allowing consumers to repair electronics like smartphones rather than replace them.
The secondary market also facilitates the right-to-repair movement. Suppliers like Component Sense hold on to and adequately care for older components, or ‘legacy stock,’ which can help repair historic machinery. Sometimes, a single microchip over ten years old can repair essential industrial machinery, preventing unnecessary scrapping and costly redesigns.
Conclusion
A circular economy maximises the lifetime value of components by ensuring components are used before their shelf life expires. Circularisation also positively impacts the environment by reducing unnecessary e-waste.
By leading from the front, electronic manufacturers can inspire change in the industry and even gain favour with consumers, as people look to support companies that practice sustainable manufacturing. Another added benefit is risk mitigation, as companies that have a circular supply chain rely less on increasingly scarce natural resources.
References
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34895498/
[2] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/electronic-waste-(e-waste)
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