Australians throw out three times the world average of electronic waste
Australians produce almost three times the global e-waste average. Companies design products to break. This forces consumers to buy replacements repeatedly.
Your new phone slows down. Your earphones stop working.
Devices are designed to break. This strategy is called planned obsolescence.
It forces consumers to keep buying replacements. Australians produce almost three times the global average of e-waste.
In 2022, the world made 62 million tonnes of e-waste. That's enough to fill more than one million trucks.
By 2030, this is expected to reach 82 million tonnes. Modern devices contain toxic chemicals like mercury and arsenic.
These pollute soil and waterways when dumped. Companies make repair harder.
They glue parts together. They lock software.
They require approved technicians. The European Union has introduced right-to-repair laws and a reparability score.
Australia's right-to-repair law only covers vehicles. It hasn't addressed everyday electronics.
- almost 3 times higher
- Australia's e-waste vs world average
- 62 million tonnes
- Global e-waste in 2022
- 82 million tonnes
- Projected global e-waste by 2030
- mercury and arsenic
- Toxic chemicals in devices
Why it mattersWithout stronger laws, consumers pay repeatedly for throwaway devices. Toxic waste builds up in landfills. It pollutes the environment.
AustraliaAustralians already produce three times the world average of e-waste; tighter design and repair laws could cut costs and reduce environmental harm.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
