The Restart Project is a charity addressing the growing problem of electronic waste by advocating for the benefits of reuse and repair strategies.
As we welcome the new year, many of us might be wondering what to do with the old gadgets we replaced over the holiday season. The Restart Project encourages individuals to rethink their disposal methods, highlighting greener alternatives to recycling centres for unwanted electronics.
Contrary to the recycling process of Christmas trees, which efficiently transforms them into organic matter beneficial to soil, electronic devices experience a different fate. Most devices end up in massive shredders which not only consume significant amounts of energy but also fail to recover many of the precious metals and critical raw materials present in our gadgets.
“These are materials we need to power the green energy transition,” says Fiona Dear, director of The Restart Project.
The charity recently published a report, which stated 81% of UK waste facilities dispatch all electrical and electronic waste to shredders. Dear emphasised that reuse and repair methods are much more cost-effective, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives to this approach.
“Reuse is a much more efficient use of our finite resources and therefore better for the planet. It can also help households save money with high-quality second-hand products,” Dear explained.
The Restart Project’s mission is to improve our relationship with electronics, extend the lifespan of electronic products, and reduce e-waste. To this end, they host regular ‘restart parties’ in London and support a global network of repair cafes.
Beyond The Restart Project, there are several initiatives and businesses across the UK offering ways to donate old electronics. “Many waste companies and local authorities are well aware of these issues. They’re seeking ways to increase reuse and avoid sending your gadgets to the shredder,” Dear added.
In its Reuse and Repair Declaration, The Restart Project calls for the UK government to make repair more affordable. They propose initiatives like tax reductions and repair vouchers, along with measures to foster a new generation of repairers through repair training and accreditation. The charity also suggests the introduction of a repair index to help consumers choose more durable and repairable products.
For more information on what to do with unwanted electronics, including donation options, refer to The Restart Project’s website.
