#plannedobsolescence — Public Fediverse posts

Nearly impossible? How #Fairphone built the ethical, repairable Fairphone Gen 6+

Fairphone’s CTO explains how and why the Dutch company builds a different kind of smartphone.
Ryan Whitwam – Sep 4, 2026

Excerpt: " #Smartphone longevity didn’t used to matter. In the past, before you could wear out or break a phone, there was always some shiny new thing to buy. Today, we expect our smartphones to go the distance, but they’ve also become less repairable and, in many cases, more fragile. Fairphone, a Dutch smartphone maker that has just entered the US market, thinks about phones differently.

"The new $650 Fairphone Gen 6+ is designed both for longevity and easy #repairability. There are trade-offs to this approach if you’re used to the standard glass and aluminum sandwiches filled with glue, gaskets, and teeny-tiny screws. But the drawbacks could be worth it for the right buyer. Fairphone CTO Chandler Hatton told Ars that Fairphone’s goal is to provide a compelling mobile experience while also enabling the user to 'fully own' their device. At the end of the day, this is what a lot of people say they want in a smartphone.

Take it apart, put it back together

"These days, Google, Samsung, and Apple support phones with software updates for the better part of a decade, but will the hardware last that long? And what happens when it needs a repair? You may be out of luck or out a lot of money, but Fairphone prioritizes the self-repair experience.

" 'We’re doing something that was long thought to be nearly impossible,' said Hatton. 'Which is delivering high-performing modular smartphones that can last for a very long time.' "

Learn more:
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/09/nearly-impossible-how-fairphone-built-the-ethical-repairable-fairphone-gen-6/

#SolarPunkSunday #RightToRepair #FixIt #PlannedObsolescence #BuiltToLast #Fairphones #Smartphones

PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO REPAIR

The first computer in my house was a Tandy 1000. It was made by RadioShack and it was the coolest thing I had ever seen. Sure, it was not much to look at with its light brown plastic case and monochrome screen. I am pretty sure my calculator from middle school has more processing power. The laptop I am typing on right now is basically a supercomputer when put up against that Tandy, but it […]

#ToxicWaste from screens ends up in endangered #dolphins, study finds

Gene-altering chemicals found in humpback dolphins and finless porpoises, raising alarm they may end up in human food chain

by Tara Russell
Wed 25 Feb 2026 08.00 EST

Excerpt: " 'The presence of #LCMs in their brains is a major red flag,' He said. 'If these chemicals can cross the blood-brain barrier in dolphins, we must be concerned about the potential for similar effects in humans who are exposed through contaminated seafood or even drinking water.'

"#ElectronicWaste is a growing problem around the world, with 62m tonnes of it generated each year. The main culprit is '#FastTech' – cheap and often poorly manufactured items viewed as disposable, including devices that use LCMs.

"To reduce the damage, the researchers said people should try to extend the life of their #electronics through #repairs and disposing of them using certified #EWaste recycling methods."

Read more:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/25/toxic-waste-from-screens-ends-up-in-endangered-dolphins-study-finds

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/cVdai

#RepairReuseRestore #EWaste #Pollution #OceansAreLife #WaterIsLife #RepairCafes #RightToRepair #PlannedObsolescence #CheapElectronics #LCDs

How to Turn an “#EconomicBlackout” Into an All-Out War on #CorporatePower

Friday’s economic boycott is a one-day attack on corporate interests. The #degrowth movement calls for a broader societal shift.

Jonah Valdez, February 28 2025

Excerpt: "Rooted in the work of American and European political theorists of the 1970s, the 'degrowth' movement criticizes a #capitalist system that seeks unending growth and profit, which has led to #ecological and #environmental ruin such as the impacts of #ClimateChange.

"Instead, it advocates for a system that prioritizes the needs of the #planet and its people, such as #housing, #education, and #healthcare. According to Jason Hickel, a leading advocate of degrowth and author of 'Less is More: How Degrowth Will Save the World,' the movement calls for reducing consumption and production of things that harm the planet such #FossilFuels, #SUVs, #PrivateJets, #mansions, #FastFashion, #IndustrialBeef, #CruiseShips, and the #MilitaryIndustrialComplex.

"While the term may be unfamiliar to many Americans, its core ideas have cropped up in the Green New Deal’s goals of a post-fossil fuel economy; the pandemic-era phenomenon of white-collar workers voluntarily quitting their jobs and working less; and the recent social media trend of '#NoBuy,' which encouraged people to purchase less and #repurpose more.

"'People are getting a sense that they’re ripped off, that they’re being taken advantage of and exploited as consumers,' said Aaron Vansintjan, co-author of 'The Future Is Degrowth: A Guide to a World Beyond Capitalism.' 'It is promising that people are responding to the current moment by showing their distrust of these corporations.'

"The boycott has drawn wide–ranging media coverage, along with the attention of some celebrities. It also caught the attention of #LindaSarsour, a progressive activist best known for organizing the 2017 #WomensMarch after #Trump’s first election.

"'It is an easy risk-free way to invite masses of people to act in reaction to the outrageousness of this Administration,' Sarsour told The Intercept in an email."

https://theintercept.com/2025/02/28/no-buy-nothing-corporation-boycott-capitalism-degrowth/
#CorporateColonialism #Corporatocracy #RepairCafes #LibraryOfThings #ReuseRepairRecycle #CircularEconomy #CapitalismKills #EnvironmentalDamage #USPol #WorldPol #CapitalismMustDie #PlannedObsolescence #ProtectMotherEarth

@Shrigglepuss And what is it made of? I've heard plastic #nurdles (what plastic computer cases are made of) are the worst!

https://www.vox.com/recode/23056251/nurdles-plastic-pollution-ocean-microplastics

#RightToRepair #AppleComputers #M4 #MacMinis #Greenwashing #PlannedObsolescence

How Soaring E-Waste Pollution Is Putting Lives at Risk

by April Miller
Mar 3rd 2022

The Growing Amount of E Waste Pollution

"The proper disposal of electronics is a heated topic in the minds of those looking to live more sustainably and reduce their carbon footprint. As more devices come out each year, it only adds to the amount of e-waste generated. Consider how #Apple, #Huawei, #Samsung, #Google and other companies release several new phone models annually. Older models then become #obsolete and must be disposed of properly.

"Statista reports that the amount of e-waste generated worldwide was around 54 million metric tons in 2019. Due to increased spending power and the wide availability of electronics, e-waste is becoming the fastest-growing waste stream worldwide. It’s estimated that generation will increase by 30% by 2030.

"These figures make sense, considering how common it is for people to throw away small electronic devices along with their other trash. However, most are not aware of opportunities to recycle electronics, what environmental impact they’re making by throwing away e-waste or how much cash they can earn by selling it.

How E Waste Harms the #Environment and Our #Health

"Why is e-waste becoming a more prevalent issue worldwide? #ElectronicWaste poses unique ecological concerns. Most e-waste contains #HazardousChemicals, and the manufacturing processes may also harm the #environment.

"When e-waste ends up in a #landfill, the surrounding #soil can become #contaminated with #toxic substances such as #mercury, #cadmium, #beryllium and #lead. These chemicals enter the soil, waterways and air, leading to polluted environments and negatively impacting human and #marine life.

"Consider people who use natural wells or the animals who rely on bodies of water. They could be exposed to toxic chemicals that can impact their health.

"It’s also important to note that when high volumes of e-waste enter landfills, device manufacturers must mine more materials to build new devices. #Phones and other #electronics contain small amounts of valuable metals like #gold, #silver and #palladium, among other critical components. These materials are becoming harder to mine, especially with the increased demand for more electronic devices.

How E Waste Contributes to #Air Pollution

One journal from Environmental Research Letters reported that researchers took air samples from a large e-waste disposal site in #China and found that the products in these landfills harmed human #lung cells.

"According to the World Health Organization (WHO), these are some adverse health effects caused by exposure to e-waste:

- Negative birth outcomes for expecting mothers, such as #stillbirth or #premature birth
- Increased rates of #ADHD in young children
- Changes in lung function
- #DNA damage
- Respiratory issues
- Impaired thyroid function
- Increased risk of chronic diseases like #cancer and #cardiovascular disease

"Additionally, the WHO reports that appropriate collection and #recycling of e-waste can help protect the environment and human health.

"Global E-waste Statistics Partnership (GESP) found that 17.4% of e-waste that was collected appropriately prevented as much as 15 million tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted into the atmosphere. High levels of carbon dioxide entering the environment and therefore contributing to global warming make it clear that e-waste is a much larger issue than some believe it to be. It may seem easy to toss away old electronics in the trash, but doing so negatively affects the environment and can harm human health.

Recycling Electronics to Benefit Humans and the Environment

"More state and federal action is needed to reduce the negative impact e-waste has on humans and the environment. So far, around 25 US states and the District of Columbia have passed legislation to establish an e-waste recycling programme. Additionally, several manufacturers offer some type of electronic return initiative, with some hosting or sponsoring recycling events for consumers.

"Many manufacturers have adopted more #sustainable business practices to prevent outdated devices from entering landfills. However, this can be challenging, considering how often users want to upgrade to the latest technology due to new features and designs.

Republicans and Democrats are pursuing laws that would make it easier for consumers to repair their devices, from vehicles to refrigerators to smartphones. This movement is being coined as the Right to Repair movement. Manufacturers often make it difficult for consumers to fix a wide range of products by limiting the availability of parts or limiting who can perform repairs.

The goal of the movement is to prohibit manufacturers from taking these measures. This can directly reduce the amount of e-waste entering landfills in the first place. Consumers would then be able to repair devices themselves, save money and avoid tossing obsolete products in the trash.

E-waste is a growing problem worldwide, and more emphasis should be put on the importance of recycling electronics. The benefits of recycling far outweigh the drawbacks. Governments, consumers and manufacturers need to find viable solutions to this prevalent issue. Whether it’s contaminated soil entering waterways or toxic chemicals released into the atmosphere, more work needs to be done to mitigate the negative effects e-waste causes."

https://earth.org/e-waste-pollution/

#ElectronicWaste #SupportLegacyProducts #Windows11 #Consumerism #Capitalism #Crapitalism
#PlannedObsolescence
#Landfills #RightToRepair #EnvironmentalRacism #WaterIsLife #SoilIsLife #RightToRepair
#RepairReuseRecycle
#Consumerism
#Anticonsumerism #EnvironmentalPollution

So, I'm all about using less plastic (that breaks easily and pollutes). I own a wood and metal toilet paper holder (similar to this one) that's outlasted anything plastic. We should build things to last. That's the opposite of what #ThrowAway #Capitalism wants us to do! #BuiltToLast #PlannedObsolescence

Fighting Back Against Dodgy Dyson Batteries - If you’ve ever worked with multi-cell rechargeable battery packs, you know that th... - https://hackaday.com/2022/05/23/fighting-back-against-dodgy-dyson-batteries/ #batterymanagementsystem #plannedobsolescence #batteryhacks #batterypack #dyson