Introduction
Whenever you are going ‘green’ with electronics, the primary concern is to reduce the use of energy consumption as well as have a lesser impact on the environment from conventional electronics. It can be either achieved by consuming lesser energy while manufacturing, or even prolonging the entire lifespan of the green electronics.
By inflicting a lesser impact on the environment, we strive to mitigate the use of toxic substances that are widely used in electronics. Recycling is a key component as well, given the issue of e-waste disposal in India. Such a view on a sustainable future is only achievable using green technology.
Green electronics revolves around the idea of conserving natural resources while developing alternative methods and strategies to rehabilitate the ecosystem. The process involves both short/long-term ramifications over the environment. That is why we have curated this article on everything about green electronics and the pathway towards a sustainable future.
What are Green Electronics?
Green electronics as the name suggests are sustainable electronic products that are often made with recyclable parts, with non-toxic chemicals, while reducing the overall carbon emission throughout the process. Best described, green electronics is the transitional state for current electronics via sustainable resources. According to Greenpeace, electronic wastes makes up almost 5% of all solid wastes in the municipality worldwide. This is where green electronics promotes WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment recycling) for all broken and obsolete electronic devices/
Green materials can pave the way towards green electronics. Starting from degradable PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) to using metals that are infinitely recyclable, green materials can be just about anything. Depending on the type of green material used, it can be either organic or inorganic.
Aluminium is often considered the ‘green metal’ given its prolonged lifespan and flexible recyclability. Graphene and borosilicate glass are also great examples of eco-friendly materials often used in electronics. Silk, resins, cellulose, gums and peptides are the organic materials that are being commonly used in sensors, transient, signal transducers, and more.
Most Favourable Materials for Green Electronics
Apart from being sustainable for the plant, green materials are often cheaper to produce. Furthermore, being energy efficient brings down the overall production cost to a certain degree as well. So, here are some of the most favourable materials often used for green electronics:
1. Aluminium
Aluminium is also hailed as one of the most eco-friendly metals. Not because of its inherent properties, but the utmost versatility it brings forth when recycling. Aluminium has an almost infinite lifespan.
In fact, Aluminium can be processed and bought back to the shelf within six weeks. Aluminium is also incredibly lightweight while offering all the strength you need. Its resilience to corrosion is yet another value addition.
2. Iron Alloy
While iron alloys cannot be labelled as sheer green, it doesn’t pose any serious threat to the environment. But what makes iron alloys truly unique is the fact that they don’t emit any level of toxicity once discarded. Furthermore, it poses great recyclable properties as well.
3. Graphene
Graphene is truly an ideal green material to rule above all. In fact, Graphene is harder than diamond, tougher than steel, have more elasticity than rubber and is even lighter than aluminium. This makes it extremely environmentally friendly, with such versatile usage.
4. Biomaterials
Last but not least, as electronics are becoming more stretchable, wearable and being integrated with organic substances, biomaterials are becoming more popular. The use of silk in bio-sensors and thermoelectric applications are a great example of the adaptation of biomaterials. Gold-coated silk is yet another great application that adds the conductivity and flexibility of gold and silk respectively.
Advantages of Adopting Green Electronics
It is imperative to understand that every new concept has its own shortcomings. Keeping that aside, here are some of the benefits we can reap from adopting green electronics:
- Green electronics revolves around the idea of using innovative methods while using less energy at production. This significantly reduces our carbon footprint, thus slowing down global warming.
- Green electronics in a nutshell is the perfect antidote to keep pollution in check. Adapting to sustainable alternatives, we can lessen the damage that often results in air, water, soil and plastic pollution.
- Making the switch towards renewable resources from fossil fuels can help to save the natural resources from further depleting.
- Last but not least, the domain of green electronics is a fast-expanding industry. This, in turn, would create more career opportunities with the increasing demand for engineers to set up new businesses around the same idea.
Why companies are going green ?
There are many green-tech companies now gradually acknowledging that sustainability is the way forward. Not to mention, there is an ever-increasing demand based on eco-conscious customers. Green electronics can only flourish with the perfect balance between ecological, economic, and social sustainability.
The Connect Info Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. (CISIPL) is one such organization that strives to promote green technology throughout the industry. CISIPL offers a wide range of IT support and services while promoting sustainability at its core. Working alongside some of the most influential OEMs throughout the industry. CISIPL offers state-of-the-technology.
With over three decades of industry experience, CISIPL offers quality solutions that bring forth efficient and effective solutions with the highest ROI. With the perfect blend of strategic designs and proven IT technologies, CISIPL is the living embodiment of green technology, and how recycling promotes green electronics.
Final Thoughts
Bear in mind, as of now we have only scratched the surface for the true extent of green electronics. Then again, green electronics is a collective effort, and only achievable with the like-mindedness of OEMs and end consumers.
Green technology at its core should be considered as our social responsibility. With the advent of ever-increasing e-waste disposal in India, now is the best time ever to implement small changes for a long-term impact. It should be in our best interest to live sustainably, for the next generations to come.
