Industry 4.0 may have improved our lives, but it comes at a price
By Emma Armstrong - Sustainable Electronics Ambassador/Group Commercial Director
In2tec Ltd
The impact of technology on our lives in modern society cannot be denied. The emergence of Industry 4.0 has undoubtedly improved our lives, but it has also come with a substantial price.
The main objective behind the widespread integration of technology in various sectors is to enhance efficiency, productivity, and the quality of products and their manufacturing processes. The utilisation of IoT and digitalisation has become commonplace for industry sectors, businesses, and the general public.
However, this advancement has resulted in a significant influx of new electronic devices and products, many of which are disposable. Consequently, this has led to a growing waste stream that is expected to increase at an unprecedented rate. Recent data from the Global Ewaste Monitor reveals that a staggering 62 billion tonnes of electronic waste was produced in 2022 alone. The ewaste produced not only harms the environment but is also a hazard to human health.
The medical and military sectors share a commonality when it comes to the significant amount of electronic waste they generate, as both industries have distinct patterns of single use.
Small medical devices (SMDs) are a major contributor to ewaste due to their design for limited reuse to prevent cross-contamination. This not only leads to the disposal of hazardous materials but also diminishes the availability of raw materials for future devices. A joint study by Loughborough University and the University of Leeds proposes that enabling the reuse of SMDs could potentially cut the NHS's costs by 50%.
It is of utmost importance to emphasise that within these industries, discarded electronic devices frequently hold valuable sensitive information. If this protected data is not properly disposed of, it can be exploited, thereby holding hospitals and similar establishments accountable. To ensure data security, it is imperative to employ secure methods for data destruction during the recycling process. These methods effectively erase any sensitive data from the devices, thereby minimising the likelihood of unauthorized access or data breaches which come at high costs. Globally, IBM estimates the average cost of a data breach to be USD 4.45 million, hence, the capacity to effortlessly repair and reuse products will ultimately lead to a decrease in the demand for specialised solutions to safeguard data security and minimise potential expenses for exploited data.
It has also been established that a high volume of electronics is now made up of counterfeit parts. The US Pentagon has reported that a significant portion of the electronics in circulation are counterfeit, posing a serious threat to national security. Shockingly, 70% of these counterfeit electronics allegedly originate from China, despite efforts made to legislation in 2012 to prevent such occurrences. This alarming revelation underscores the urgent need for stricter control over ewaste and a fundamental shift in mindset to safeguard national security.
Inadequate recycling facilities, lack of legislation, and insufficient education are frequently blamed for the poor recycling of electronic devices. However, a crucial issue lies in the manufacturing process of these devices, as they are not designed with the intention of being easily disassembled and repurposed; instead, they are discarded, highlighting the key importance of transitioning towards a circular economy at the core of any device.
The utilisation of sustainable materials in the production of electronic goods, coupled with their easy disassembly, will have a significant positive effect. This approach not only helps in reducing the depletion of essential resources but also creates a commercially viable second-life market and increased profits across the supply chain. This is ultimately why In2tec produces PCBA assemblies through ReUSE® and ReCYCLE™ technologies. ReUSE® materials, manufacturing process, and propriety techniques coupled with ReCYCLE™ unzipping mechanism allow PCBAs to be brought back to their constituent parts undamaged and uncontaminated to be used for a second life.
Overall, in all industries where electronic products are utilised, a significant change in the approach towards sustainable electronics is essential. Safeguarding the environment and the well-being of future generations is imperative, prompting industries to prioritise partnerships with sustainable companies and processes.