Equipping Designers with Sustainable Practices: Solutions for Making Small Electronic Devices Greener

Small Electronic Devices (SEDs) represent a worrying fraction of the unsustainable electronic waste problem, especially nowadays with their increasing demand due to digitalization. Given their strategic role in the life cycle of a product, designers require sustainability know-how to make a positive impact on this issue while remaining responsive to market demands. This study addresses the critical need to identify practical solutions to equip designers. It identifies two distinct approaches to addressing sustainability in SEDs. The first approach focuses on components with superior eco-properties through innovative materials. The second approach centers on design guidelines to connect designers with end-of-life (EoL). Thus, this study conducts a supplier exploration in line with the first approach and a compilation of design guidelines contrasted with repairers and recyclers' interviews. The results present an overview of the components with superior eco-properties found during the supplier exploration, as well as an analysis of the relevance of the design guidelines to tackle the challenges for EoL handlers with SEDs, such as safe battery removal and time-consuming disassembly. The findings are then framed with the definition of sustainability and the field of circularity to illustrate their significance. The research finds that to overcome their limitations, it is necessary to utilize both approaches in conjunction with each other. On one side, there is a lack of ready-to-use options and design flexibility resulting from the first approach. On the other hand, design guidelines may challenge design priorities, such as aesthetics or producer liabilities. Notwithstanding, while sustainable solutions for greener SEDs may seem limited, this research resolves that implementing suggestions derived from this exploration would result in avoided impacts on the planet, serving as valuable resources for designers striving to make their creations more sustainable.