I’ve been with the same cell provider for five about five years. I actually don’t use the cell phone daily but it was and remains my “land line” in the US. On a current visit, I tried to get a new charger for the phone, which is all of 2 years old, and the salesperson acted like I wanted parts for an antique.
They don’t make chargers or batteries for this phone anymore. The word of the day was “obsolete”, as in you’re the sucker who purchased a product which would become obsolete before its useful life was over. And as in we are the company who sold you a product that would quickly become obsolete and we aren’t going to do anything when it does.
I understand that technology evolves very fast. However, there is a problem when companies don’t take responsibility for end use. Cell phones, personal, DVD players and all the soon-to-be obsolete parts that are sold with them have created the major global problem of how to deal with e-waste. Very little of our gadgets get recycled and when they do it is often to the detriment of the environment, developing countries or already disenfranchised segments of our society.
Tackling this and other sustainability issues within the technology industry is the focus of the Greener Gadgets Conference in NYC February 1st, 2008. Greener Gadgets is a one day conference featuring key representatives from some of the largest consumer electronics companies in the world, innovators from academic thinktanks, members of startups focused on renewable energy, and some of the leading minds in the word of sustainable design and business.
Industry leaders, entrepreneurs, journalists, and designers will gather to discuss the business case for the greening of the consumer electronics industry.
Topics to be addressed include: design for sustainability, product life cycle management, take-back and recycling programs, energy efficiency, greener materials, and green lifestyle and product marketing. An attached gallery space will feature a green prototype office display and technology exhibits from companies on the cutting edge of green tech.
I’ll be there, will you? Learn more and get involved at the Greener Gadgets website!
Also check out this great resource on e-waste by Jennifer Van Der Meer of o2-NYC. And the GreenPeace Guide to Greener Electronics.
What’s your idea of a green gadget? Got a design in mind? Check out the Greener Gadgets Design Competition, over $4,500 in prizes up for grabs for ideas that bring solutions for greener electronics.
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