How to end clutter?

WHILE TAKING THE JUMP: Think twice before buying new products!

• Check yourself - next time you’re considering getting a new phone or another item, pause to think whether you need it.

• Consider buying a second-hand or refurbished

• Buy repairable - if you need a new phone, laptop, or other item, consider how durable and easy it is to repair.

Why end clutter?

WHAT THE SCIENCE SAYS: Keep new electronic products for at least 7 years.

Our addiction to gadgets, and buying ‘stuff’ in general, contributes to carbon emissions. Extracting rare earth metals and producing huge volumes of products generates significant emissions – often more than the emissions associated with the energy demand of using the product itself. For example, only 13% of the Apple iPhone 11 Pro’s lifetime emissions are associated with its use; the other 86% are associated with its production, transport, and end-of-life processing.

Some of us have a smartphone and personal computer, and in some cases, these are supplemented by a tablet, e-reader, smartwatch, and other electronic items. We typically replace these products with an upgraded model every few years. And this expiry date extends to many more things we fill our lives and homes with. The target is to keep electronic products for five to seven years – their full optimum lifetime. This applies to other belongings too. This will mean more repairing, instead of replacing, and not succumbing to adverts that make you think you need the next new thing now!