A recent survey of Canadian consumers about how they buy and get rid of electronics shows that 64 percent of people replace their devices for reasons other than them breaking or becoming outdated. This trend highlights the missed opportunity to cut down on e-waste in Canada.
Researchers from the University of Waterloo surveyed Canadian households to examine patterns in using, replacing, and disposing of seven common electronic items: mobile phones, laptops or tablets, desktop computers, televisions, refrigerators, microwaves, and laundry machines. The study found that just these seven products will create about 2.3 million tons of e-waste between 2025 and 2030-enough to fill 18 CN Towers. Previous research by the team indicated that the amount of e-waste Canada discards has already tripled over the last twenty years and continues to rise steadily.
Besides precious metals like gold and silver, e-waste also includes harmful materials such as heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and acids which can pollute our environment and pose risks to human health if not handled properly.
“If we extended the lifespan of consumer electronics through repairs, it would lead to numerous environmental benefits from reduced production of new products-including less extraction of mineral resources and its associated environmental impacts,” said Dr. Komal Habib, a professor in the Faculty of Environment at Waterloo. “We need laws like Bill 91 in Ontario that ensure consumers and small businesses have the right to repair so we can keep using our products longer. Manufacturers should provide repair manuals, tools, software updates, and replacement parts to consumers as well as independent repair shops.”
Reports show that Canadian consumers tend to use their electronics for just as long or even longer than people in many other wealthier countries. On average, a phone lasts around four and a half years here. We often swap them out not because they fail but because they feel old-fashioned; carrier plans encourage upgrades while planned obsolescence limits software support, security updates, and repair options. The researchers noted one major challenge in our take-make-waste economy is our strong tendency to prefer buying new items over repairing or reusing what we already own.
“Our findings can help guide better decision making in Canada,” stated Dr. Elham Mohammadi, a postdoctoral scholar in the Faculty of Environment. “Taking practical steps like supporting repairs, promoting longer product lifespans, improving access to refurbished goods-both second-hand-and raising consumer awareness can help lead us toward a more sustainable future.
The study How long do consumer electronics last in Canada? appears in the Journal of Cleaner Production.
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