Created as a team of three for RMIT.
Services provided: Design research, Adobe Creative suite, Canva
Deliverables: Website, App, Repairability Index
Time frame: 3 months
Global e-waste is projected to reach 75 million tonnes by 2030. Only 17% of global e-waste is properly recycled, and just 20% is collected for proper disposal.
Australia ranks fifth in e-waste production, generating 21.7 kg per person. Around 53% of Australians are unaware of e-waste collection facilities, leading to landfill disposal.
How might we create accountability for manufacturers that brings awareness to consumers on the durability and environmental impact of their small appliances by a repairability label index?
Future of E-waste lies in the creation of a Repairability Index for Australian consumers.
In December 2022, New York passed the world's first electronics Right to Repair law. The law aims to balance power between consumers and manufacturers, promoting fairness in device repair.
Based on global e-waste data from 2020, small appliances like irons, kettles, toasters, and similar devices constitute 37% (approx) of the total e-waste.
We examined three distinct case studies: the repairability index introduced in France, the practices of iFixit, and the junk food label by an advocate for healthy eating in Australia.
Interviews revealed either the cost of repair was more than the item's value or they are not aware of the consequences of e-waste.
Core Problems: Low-quality, cheap items, Desire for new products, Limited resources, knowledge, and awareness, Difficulty identifying issues and proper disposal.
Our journey mapping, based on personal experiences, showed how we handled broken devices: one bought a new vacuum, another a new phone, and the third disposed of a broken lamp.
The index serves as a weapon in the battle against product obsolescence, whether intentional or unintentional, preventing the premature disposal of goods and conserving the natural resources invested in their production.
The Repairability Index is a consumer-friendly guide that helps users make informed choices when purchasing electronics.
The index will display a rating system indicating repair complexity and available tools for each product. A higher tool count means the item is easier to repair.
The repairability index is calculated by rating sub-criteria from both consumer and manufacturer perspectives on a scale of 1 to 6. The scores are weighted, with 0.5 assigned to consumer sub-criteria and 0.25 to manufacturer sub-criteria.
This not only critiques the current state of electronics but also presents a speculative strategy for improved practices.
It explores speculative change from various angles: manufacturers, consumer behavior, and climate change.
The index also features a website partnered with iFixit, offering step-by-step repair instructions, certified repair shop locations, and safe disposal information.
The repairability index is crucial due to the growing landfill. By providing repairability information, it allows consumers to easily compare products and make informed decisions.
Choosing more repairable products supports economic, environmental, and social sustainability, contributing to a better planet.
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