What REALLY Happens To Our Old Electronics?

[@AboveTheNoise]

Be honest - what do you do with your old electronics, and what do you think happens to your e-waste? After watching the video, what -- if anything - would you like to change? Let us know in the comments below!!

[@GatorGoob]

The devices as services sounds like a good idea, but let’s not forget how companies like John Deere and Lamborghini have abused it to block repair and customization initiatives from owners.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Great point. Thanks for watching!

[@AboveTheNoise]

I think the major issue with John Deere is that John Deere would block third parties from fixing their tractors-- you'd have to go through John Deere. After some heat from the right to repair movement they changed their tune... but people are skeptical about that. Here's more on it: www.wired.com/story/right-to-repair-advocates-question-john-deeres-new-promises/. That's different than the "electronics as a service" business model. But they are definitely concerns with that model as well. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@cportable]

I really appreciate the link to reputable recyclers. I have heard for years about the problem with polution from toxic recycling techniques mostly overseas, on tv and KZbin, but never was given something actionable to do at least my small part. Thank you!

[@AboveTheNoise]

You’re welcome and thanks for caring enough to take action!

[@silent8576]

your videos really dont get enough attention, i agree fully

[@AboveTheNoise]

Aw, thank you for this support!!

[@colingraham1585]

Watching on my IPhone 7 Plus! Planned obsolescence is so sad. I really think we need to be more concerned about these economic and environmental issues that will kill us instead of being distracted by trivial social issues.

[@asktheglutenfreechef3072]

Environmental issues are social issues

[@snowmorepuns]

I've been struggling to find a place to recycle a lot of my old e-waste and I ended up going to Staples because it was the only place close to me that I could find. I'm glad I did now!!

[@-........]

i still have all my old smartphones in a drawer

[@AboveTheNoise]

That's an honest comment!

[@ceciliaviridianacisnerosca8991]

I really love the way you concern about e-wastw. It's a massive topic and everybody must be aware of this big issue and take action to minimize the problem

[@brosch91]

I think the ewaste problem wouldn't be so bad if electronics were just easier to repair and keep using. Most people don't buy new phones because they want to, but because their phone's performance begins to slow down over time from a degraded battery. Back in the day on an android phone, you could just pop the backplating off, replace the battery, done. But unfortunately, now they are just as tough to disassemble as an iphone. Louis Rossmann has years upon years of content documenting what Apple has done over the years to their macbooks to make them as tough as possible to fix for the average independent repair company. I don't think a leasing economy is the answer, because that's taking away all of the power from the consumer and entrusting the companies to make the right decisions...and who's to say that they will? Great topic though, hopefully we have a solution before too long.

[@AboveTheNoise]

All good points thanks for sharing. The right to repair movement seems to be gaining some steam and being able to repair and upgrade old tech would go a long way with this ewaste problem!

[@Hands0ap]

Love that guy screaming about recycleing

[@jd31068]

My previous motorized wheelchair, I couldn't get it fixed as nobody will touch one that is over 5 years old (mine was 11) I had to have "Got Junk" pick it up. I paid a special charge to have it disposed of "properly" which you can only hope they do. These days I always buy my updates to electronics used, swappa is a great place for mobile phones, I buy 2-3 yr old tech from eBay and resell what I replace there. It is a win/win/win - you save money buying used, you save e-waste, and you get a little money back selling yours.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Great tips! Thanks for sharing. That sounds so frustrating about your wheelchair!

[@slicingonions4398]

Very interesting video, you deserved more attention on this one

[@AboveTheNoise]

Why, thank you! That means a lot!

[@MsTwingo12]

There’s also organizations like Labdoo that you can donate your computers/smartphones too (as long as they are still somewhat functional) and they will refurbish them and donate them to different projects around the world (mostly in Africa). Afterwards when they break they will take them back and properly recylce them so they don’t just land in a landfill in those poorer countries

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks for sharing this resource! Sounds awesome.

[@jordanevwynne3963]

Awesome video, thank you.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks for watching!

[@beachboardfan9544]

If electronics recycling is so valuable, why do they charge you so much to take your e waste? Cost 30$ to dispose of my last tv. My hybrids nimh batt would've cost me over 200$ to recycle because the only ppl that would take it were in CA and shipping cost were not covered by the recycler, so now it just sits in a corner of my garage. Politicians should probably regulate recycling before they force electric everything down the publics throat...

[@AboveTheNoise]

That's a great question. One of our experts explained to us that e-waste can hold value but it also is largely toxic and difficult to recycle. Most often the intrinsic value is exceeded by the cost of properly recycling it, and this is in no small part due to the difficulty in separating the different elements and materials, but also due to toxicity and proper disposal costs of those problematic compounds and elements. And absolutely, there is movement to get better e-waste regulation in the US-- there's no federal law that governs it, and only about have the states have formal e-waste recycling programs. You might find this article about it interesting: knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/how-u-s-laws-do-and-dont-support-e-recycling-and-reuse/

[@AboveTheNoise]

Oh also that world economic forum report in the description is a really interesting read on the global economics of all this, if you're interested!

[@Electronicfort]

I needed to know this!😮

[@AboveTheNoise]

Thanks for watching and learning!

[@ThisisJenn]

Your video is exceptional 👌

[@AboveTheNoise]

Why, thank you! Appreciate you taking the time to watch!

[@GymGirl88]

It is so important to recycle electronic waste. Especially because we actually need those materials. Rare earth metals are in short supply and if we don't recycle them they'll end up dispersed in the ecosystem at a concentration that makes it impossible to extract

[@SeanKirkFlanagan]

Miles, what do you know about the "dangers" of refurbished tech?

[@Pottery4Life]

Letting you know in the comments below.

[@PunkHerr]

Is there a European equivalent for the US certifier?

[@Stjaernljus]

a lot of things that are not broken or can be fixed in minutes at no material cost go to e-waste because people don't know or its easier to just buy new. recycling should be the absolutely last resort.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Such a good point!

[@jacktaylor6155]

They need to do better. Cuz I bet that money is recycled through the phone companies. So why the fuck are our phone bills so much more than the price it is to maintain thee services

[@AboveTheNoise]

Excellent question.

[@CrumpetsNBiscuits]

Why do america use pounds (lb) but then scale up to tons? It doesn't make any sense

[@mikecontreras5190]

Electronics as a service sounds terrible tbh, just another way the rich will keep us from actually owning anything and convince us we are happier because of it. We will pay more and get less.

[@AboveTheNoise]

Definitely a pattern with a lot of leasing options out there. Thanks for weighing in!

[@martinmuriuki5671]

could you mail me that old laptop of yours could really come in a clutch for my studies bruv

[@mexicanwitharock]

They give them to me. I eat them.

[@jacksonfurlong3757]

Americans aren't generating ewaste, corporate manufacturing is generating the ewaste.