GEA circularity hub to boost sustainable design
The Global Electronics Association (GEA) has launched a Circularity Resource Hub to boost best practice in sustainable design of electronics equipment
The Hub provides a centralized home for the latest industry standards and resources to accelerate designs for compliance with global regulations like Right to Repair and Ecodesign.
“As we talk with industry too many people are asking how do I do this,” John Mitchell, president and CEO at the GEA tells eeNews Europe. The group changed its name from the IPC last month. “This hub is to help companies implement sustainability at scale saving money and resources. It also has some insights into the challenges and solutions,” he said.
Key resources in the Hub include in-depth guidance on how to design and embed circularity throughout every process of the electronics life cycle as well as practical tools and frameworks to support implementation. There is also a comprehensive guide for implementing practices to reduce e-waste and industry standards that enable repairability and rework.
“A lot has to do with reclaiming materials, end of use versus end of life, collaborating with the recycling industry. The electronics industry is set up to build things, not reuse or recycle things. Electronics drives 20% of world trade today and there is already concern about the cost and landfill of e-waste,” said Mitchell.
“A lot of the manufacturers I encounter don’t even realise circularity is even possible, let alone the cost savings so we are raising the awareness and highlighting the cost savings.”
The content on the hub will be updated continually to provide resources that address the challenges manufacturers face in adopting circular practices, and the GEA is working on developing suitable industry standards.
“Faced with sourcing uncertainty and pricing volatility, the electronics ecosystem has an opportunity to embrace circularity to reduce risk – and minimize its life cycle impacts in the process,” said Dr. Kelly Scanlon, Lead Sustainability Strategist at Global Electronics Association. “By centralizing best-in-class resources, we support the industry’s sustainable transformation.”
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