Only a little thought
Modern household appliances hit the scrapheap sooner than older models
White goods such as microwaves and dishwashers have a shorter lifespan than they did in 2011 as tech becomes more complex, figures show
He believes the advent of “complicated parts, high-tech appliances and sophisticated manufacturing” is the prime reason for the trend.
“Modern appliances often rely on complex circuit boards and software, which can be more prone to failure over time than simpler mechanical components,” he said.
Right, OK.
And the thought:
From 1 July a wide range of electrical and electronic products put on the European Union market may no longer contain certain hazardous substances that can endanger human health and the environment. Four heavy metals and two groups of brominated flame retardants are being banned as they can pose a direct risk to workers’ health when waste electrical and electronic equipment is recycled and can be released into the environment when such waste is incinerated or disposed of in landfill dumps. ‘E-waste’ is the fastest growing type of waste in Europe. Producers have had over three years to prepare for the ban’s entry into force since it was decided in January 2003. This EU initiative has been closely followed by public authorities in some third countries, with China, a leading producer of electrical and electronic equipment, intending to introduce similar legislation next year.
Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said: “This ban has a double benefit for human health and the environment. Ending the use of these hazardous substances in many e-products not only removes the intrinsic hazard they pose but will also enable us to considerably increase the amount of waste equipment that is recycled by making this activity safer and also less costly. I welcome China’s plans to follow Europe’s example and would encourage other countries to do likewise.”
The six hazardous substances being banned are the heavy metals lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium, as well as two groups of brominated flame retardants, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE).
Lead is now banned in solder, therefore we get tin whiskers. Which means circuit boards blow up sooner.
Hmm…..