Mueez Rahman’s Post

How Your Smartphone Might Be Plotting Against You (and the Planet) And your toaster might be too! Ever noticed that your smartphone, after you finally give in to those constant update messages, starts running with the speed of a horse carriage? It seems as if your phone’s CPU is swimming upstream! Welcome to the intriguing world of planned obsolescence! As someone who spent years developing tools to fight obsolescence, I'd like to shed some light on the ugly brother of component obsolescence. What is Planned Obsolescence? Planned obsolescence is a strategy where products are designed with a limited useful life. It’s like a timer is set off as soon as you smile over your new purchase, set by the manufacturer. It's not just about things breaking – it can also involve psychological obsolescence, where perfectly functional items feel like grandma's cutlery. The concept gained traction in the 1950s when industrial designer Brooks Stevens described it as "instilling in the buyer the desire to own something a little newer, a little better, a little sooner than is necessary." Psychologically, it taps into our desire for novelty and status. But some consumers start thinking about the bees and trees (and sea turtles) and are waking up. They are slowly but surely pushing back against this "toss it in the bin" practice. The environmental impact of rapid product turnover is significant. E-waste, in particular, has become a major export good for some countries. However, this challenge is also driving innovation in recycling technologies and spurring the development of more sustainable business models. What can I do? Prioritize repairability: Support products and initiatives that make repair easier (yes! You can do it) Invest in quality: the extra buck for durability can save money in the long run. Consider lifecycle costs: Look beyond the initial price tag to total ownership costs. Stay informed: read up on the rights and the policies of the brands you like. Forward-thinking companies are starting to see the value in durability and repairability. They are creating: 1. Modular designs that allow easy upgrades 2. Product-as-a-service offerings 3. Enhanced repair and refurbishment services As awareness grows, we're seeing shifts in both consumer behavior and regulatory landscapes (yep, even politicians do something): 1. Increased demand for sustainable and long-lasting products 2. Growing support for "right to repair" legislation 3. Emergence of circular economy initiatives This trend could become a key differentiator for businesses. Remember, when it comes to product design and business strategy, understanding planned obsolescence is like pulling the secret curtain. It's not just about how long things last—it's about the whole journey, from shiny new gadget to "oh, this is sh.." and how we relate to all the stuff we buy . #PlannedObsolescence #Sustainability #CircularEconomy ♻ please share. Let's keep this important conversation going!

🌱 Reunion Island embraces sustainable technology with refurbished and used smartphones, bringing eco-friendly and affordable options to residents.   Reunion Island, famous for its rich biodiversity and scenic beauty, is taking strides in sustainable technology by embracing refurbished smartphones. This move aligns with the island’s commitment to reducing digital waste and supporting a circular economy, offering high-quality devices at a lower cost to environmentally aware consumers. Refurbished phones, like those supplied by Belgium-based Back2Buzz Group ownend by Ralph Van Lysebeth, are gaining traction for their affordability—about 30% less than new models—and rigorous quality checks that ensure durability. Many devices come with a two-year warranty, building confidence among local consumers and providing a reliable alternative to new imports.   The shift toward refurbished technology is also a boost for local businesses, with new partnerships forming between smartphone refurbishers and Reunion’s retailers. This collaboration supports accessibility to sustainable products, reducing dependency on external imports while meeting the growing demand for eco-conscious options. Nearly 30,000 refurbished devices now make their way to Reunion Island annually, a number that highlights the potential of a circular economy to positively impact both the environment and the local economy.   As Reunion Island continues to innovate in sustainable technology, it’s positioning itself as a role model in digital waste reduction, contributing to significant CO2 savings and supporting global sustainability goals. The island’s journey with refurbished tech showcases the strength of local solutions in addressing global environmental challenges, fostering a greener future for all.   🌍💚📱 #CircularEconomy #SustainableTechnology #RefurbishedPhones #EcoFriendly #ReunionIsland

Samsung’s Sustainability Innovations at CES 2025 From solar-powered remotes to energy-efficient appliances, Samsung is proving that cutting-edge tech can go hand-in-hand with sustainability. Highlights: 🔋 Solar-Powered Remotes: No batteries, no waste—just innovation. ♻️ Recycled Materials: From smartphones to TVs, reducing waste while creating quality. 🌍 Energy-Efficient Tech: Appliances designed to lower your carbon footprint. 💬 Which of Samsung’s green innovations would you try? Share your thoughts below! #CES2025 #Sustainability #GreenTech #InnovationForThePlanet

🌍 Time to Ditch the Plastic: Why eSIMs Are the Future of Connectivity 📱 At Giesecke+Devrient, we believe in making connectivity not only easier and more secure but also more sustainable. With eSIM technology, staying mobile has never been simpler – whether at home or abroad. 🌐 Why should you switch to eSIM? 🔒 Enhanced Security: eSIMs are embedded directly into your device, reducing the risk of theft and offering better protection against SIM card fraud. ♻️ Sustainability: Say goodbye to plastic waste! eSIMs eliminate the need for physical SIM cards, contributing to a greener planet. 🌱 ✈️ Global Flexibility: Whether you’re traveling or switching operators, eSIMs enable seamless connectivity to networks worldwide without the hassle of changing SIM cards. 🚀 Convenience and Speed: Activate a new mobile plan instantly with eSIMs – no more waiting for a physical card to arrive. Switch operators or add a new plan in just a few clicks. 📡 Better Network Management: Manage multiple profiles on one device with eSIMs, making it easier to switch between personal and business connections or use different networks depending on your location. Ready to make the switch? Discover why eSIMs are the future of mobile technology in our latest Spotlight article here: https://lnkd.in/d3VqN49D 🔗 But what if you’re not quite ready for eSIMs? Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll explore how our sustainable SIM cards offer an eco-friendly alternative during this transition period. You’ll learn about our innovative Eco Card made from 100% recycled plastic and our Half-SIM, which reduces plastic use by 50%. #eSIM #Sustainability #TechInnovation #MobileTechnology #Spotlight #GieseckeDevrient

#Sustainability #TechinDailyLife the fusion of technology and sustainability in everyday life! Join us as we delve into the role of smartphones and reusable water bottles in promoting convenience and eco-conscious living. Discover practical tips, product reviews, and inspiring stories to integrate these essential elements seamlessly into your daily routine. Let's embrace a greener, tech-savvy lifestyle together! #Sustainability #TechinDailyLife

Imagine reducing global e-waste by millions of tons simply by rethinking how we design our gadgets. 📱 Enter modular device design—a revolutionary approach where devices are built with interchangeable parts. Currently, the world produces over 50 million tons of e-waste annually, with only 20% being recycled properly. Companies like Fairphone and Google's Project Ara have pioneered phones where components like the camera, battery, or processor can be easily swapped out. This means instead of discarding an entire device due to one faulty part, users can replace just that piece. In fact, modular devices can extend product life cycles by up to 85%, significantly cutting down on waste. By embracing modularity, tech companies can not only reduce environmental impact but also offer consumers cost-effective upgrades. Could this be the key to sustainable electronics? Let's rethink, rebuild, and reduce. 🌎 #SustainableTech #GreenIT #ESG #TechForGood

Switzerland strugglling with smartphone sustainability! A significant number of Swiss citizens—nearly half—hold on to their old smartphones, tablets, and laptops, according to a recent report by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). This highlights the early stages of sustainability in the digital sector. With manufacturing accounting for up to 80% of a smartphone's total carbon footprint, extending the lifespan of these devices is crucial. The FSO report emphasizes the importance of repairs, resales, refurbishments, and the recycling of raw materials to reduce environmental impact. Surprisingly, 48% of internet users in Switzerland store their old smartphones rather than recycling them. Laptops and tablets see similar trends, with only about a quarter being recycled as e-waste. So what could be done? To begin with, here’s a simple solution to make a big impact: 👉 Recycle: Properly recycle old devices to recover valuable materials. 👉 Reuse/Donate: Give working electronics to those in need. 👉 Repair: Fix devices instead of discarding them. 👉 Reduce: Limit unnecessary purchases of new electronics. At Recyclium, we are dedicated to addressing this issue. Our solutions aim to promote sustainable practices in the digital sector, ensuring that end-of-life electronics are properly recycled and their materials repurposed. Join us in making a difference and fostering a circular economy!

In our daily lives, we often encounter various kinds of products designed to make our routine more efficient. Among these items, the two most used products are smartphones and water bottles let's delve into the pros and cons of each other. Smartphones play an important role in our daily lives, they help us in many ways, how we communicate, work, and entertain ourselves. with a smartphone, we have instant access to a wealth of information around the globe and connectivity. however, this constant connectivity. however, this constant connectivity may affect real-world interactions and can lead to over-dependence. on the other hand, reusable plastic bottles provide an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bottles. which mitigates the environmental damage. water bottles may affect real-world interactions and can lead to over-dependence. on the other hand, reusable plastic bottles provide an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bottles. which mitigates the environmental damage. water bottle. became a necessary thing in our routine. it helps us to carry water to any place with its portable size. yet, despite their benefits, concerns about hygiene and cleanliness may arise if not properly maintained. In conclusion, smartphones and water bottles contain both advantages and disadvantages. while smartphones with enhanced connectivity also produce e-waste, reusable water bottles promote sustainability but they pose practical challenges like maintenance.

An opportunity While recycling smartphones📱 is required when phones truly reach end of life stage, keeping phones📱 in use for longer (and therefore minimizing the number which actually need to be recycled) keeps materials in use for longer, reduces waste streams, and means less energy is required for recycling processes. Extending the smartphone’s lifespan should therefore be a key aim for all of us trying to reduce e-waste 📱🌲. Repair👍 RELECTRO #Electronicsrepair #Mobiledevicerepair #sustainability #green #lifecyclemanagement #technology