Electronic hardware

Singapore is an extremely technologically shrewd nation, and almost every Singaporean owns a mobile phone and/or other electronic devices. On average, Singaporeans own about 3.3 connected electronic devices each! (Google Barometer, 2014)

Mobile phones and laptops have became a form of fashion; Many covet the most advanced, most trendy models on the market. Electronic hardware companies design their products with planned obsolescence, such that they become obsolete (unfashionable or no longer functional) after a certain period of time – so that users will frequently replace their devices. Often, people replace their still functional mobile phones with newer models, just for a new minute function – or worse still, just for its branding.

The high consumption of electronic hardware in Singapore contributes to a few environmental impacts.

You don’t need very sharp observation to notice that  many of them are still using their still functional mobile phones while queueing for the new iPhone.