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The Internet of Trash: IoT Has a Looming E-Waste Problem (ieee.org)
As we add computing and radios to more things, we're also adding to the problem of e-waste. The United Nations found that people generated 44.7 million metric tons of e-waste globally in 2016, and expects that to grow to 52.2 million metric tons by 2021. From a report: There are two issues. We're adding semiconductors to products that previously had none, and we're also shortening the life of devices as we add more computing, turning products that might last 15 years into ones that must be replaced every five years. In fact, many small connected devices such as trackers, jewelry, or wearables are designed to fail once the battery dies. At that point, the consumer tosses it out and buys another.
"turning products that might last 15 years into ones that must be replaced every five years."
That's the idea.
The reason IOT is being applied to otherwise mature technologies (Refrigerators, Ovens, Washing Machines, etc.) is to increase the purchasing cycle and design in 5-year obsolescence.
The whole "battery is not replaceable so I have to throw it away" is a design choice based on cost, not customer demand.
Who the fuck asked for a toaster with the ability to send you a text when the toast is done?
My grandparents bought a washing machine, a fridge, a freezer and a toaster when they got married. They used all of them until they moved into the retirement home.
Meanwhile, everything but the fridge my wife owned when I moved in eighteen years ago has been replaced at least once, some of them (washing machine) more than once, and the cycle seems to be speeding up. Things are made cheaper, with features no one is asking for helping to speed along the failure rate.
If you're lucky you have an older relative with a usable appliance they want to get rid of that just needs the odd belt or motor repair every ten years or so. If not, fuck you. You're buying a new one every six years or less. Crazy.
I just wonder what's going to happen when all the people spending $300-500 on wireless headphones find out they have a glued-in non-replacable battery that will turn their expensive "investment" into landfill within about 3 years.
It's an environmental nightmare, but will they go out and repeat the same mistake for another $300-500 or realize a wire isn't all that bad a lot of the time?
The solution is simple, double the mandated warranty period. Let companies worry about keeping the products working for that long, and while some people will choose to replace before the warranty is up, they will be useful longer to the next owner. Less will get thrown out.
Laws are rules for the court, but merely a bottom bar to hit for life. Think beyond laws in your actions always.