Globally, 53 million tonnes of electrical waste were produced in 2020, that amount is forecasted to increase to 74 million tonnes by 2030. This makes electronic waste the largest growing waste stream on earth.*
Portable speakers are often discarded after approximately 3-5 years due to battery depletion. The speakers are discarded despite the fact that most other components have a significantly longer lifespan. This means that fully-functioning electronic components are wasted. There is a need for additional solutions to prolong the life of products that can contribute to a circular economy.
The project E-waste Epilog extends the life of electronic components in an existing speaker, that is sent back to the manufacturer for remanufacturing. This degree project investigates if it is possible to increase the value of the components from the discarded speaker, by designing a new exterior for the remanufactured version.
E-waste Epilog puts the emphasis on the problems surrounding electronic waste and wants to question the dissonance between lifespan and material choice in existing electronic products.
*The Global E-waste Monitor, 2020.
