Electronic waste due to broken display

A lot of electronic waste is generated when a defective display needs to be replaced. This contrasts with the concept of sustainability and environmentally conscious behavior. What happens to the electronic waste? Typically, defective cell phones, as well as mobile data collection devices (MDE), tablets, and defective notebooks, are shredded and melted down because they contain various materials. Defective displays are replaced with new ones. The replacement displays require the use of resources such as energy, rare earths, and a lot of water (the production of electronics consumes a lot of water.)

The production of electronics uses a significant amount of water

Energy-intensive chemical separation processes with high water consumption separate the metals, rare earths, and various plastics contained in shredded electronic waste from each other. This results in considerable amounts of hazardous waste sludge that cannot be further processed. The hazardous waste is either incinerated or stored in hazardous waste landfills.

Study of German Federal Environment Agency - Influence of the service life of products on their environmental impact

The German Federal Environment Agency has conducted a comprehensive study - "Impact of the lifespan of products on their environmental impact: creating an information base and developing strategies against "obsolescence"" - determined already in 2016 that the

„Input: Products of the highly technologized service society of the 21st century cause significant environmental impacts due to two factors: Firstly, the number of products themselves is constantly increasing, and secondly, relatively short periods of usage can be observed.“

and it continues to say

„Regarding a long lifespan of electrical and electronic devices, the most intensive use of the raw materials used in the device and the environmental impacts associated with their extraction should be considered as an important aspect.“

A display damage is expensive and replacement is necessary

A damage to a display or touchscreen is extremely annoying. The input center of the device no longer works. The device is a total failure, which is almost equivalent to a total loss.

Reducing the risk of display damage is sustainable

To minimize the risk of display damage, it is highly recommended to use a high-quality display protective film. This not only helps to avoid costly display repairs, but also maintains the value of electronic devices. It has been proven that tablets, smartphones, as well as industrial panels and touchscreens have a significantly higher resale value when their displays or touchscreens are free from scratches or damages. As the above-mentioned example of the defective MDE device display shows, the absence of a display protective film or glass has led to a completely scratched and damaged touchscreen, rendering the device, which is worth several hundred or even 1000 EUR, useless. By using a high-quality Neoxum display film in clear or matte or an OnScreen® Hybrid Glass, a very robust composite material made of PET plastic (Polyethylene Terephthalate) and a 50 µm thick 9H hard glass coating, the lifespan of a device can be significantly extended. The durability of a touchscreen or display is greatly optimized, scratches are effectively prevented, and the formation of defective areas on the touchscreens, which are caused by constant use of the same function, is avoided. Since no wear-related damages occur, costs and time are saved.

Repair of a display damage

The repair of a display damage can often take days or even weeks. In addition, a high-quality display protection film also offers the advantage of better visibility. Special coatings such as anti-glare or anti-fingerprint reduce light reflection and minimize fingerprints, so that the display is clear and easily readable even in direct sunlight or in bright environments.

Correct handling of the device - a protective case is mandatory

Another aspect that should be considered in reducing the risk of display damage is the proper handling of the device. It is important to handle the device with care and protect it from impacts, falls, or other physical influences. A good protective case, for example, for phones and tablets, not only protects the device itself but also the display if the case protrudes 1-2 mm beyond the display itself. If the phone or tablet unfortunately falls on the display, the minimal protruding edge of the protective case absorbs the impact and the display remains undamaged in most cases. When making a purchase, pay attention to high-quality materials such as TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), which is both firm enough and sufficiently flexible to cushion a fall. Rigid protective cases, such as those made of PC (polycarbonate), are generally unsuitable as they are not as elastic as TPU and cannot absorb impacts and falls as well.

Screen cleaning

In addition to using a screen protector and proper handling, regular cleaning of the display can also help reduce the risk of display damage. Dust, dirt, and other particles can accumulate on the display and cause scratches. These particles can be safely removed using a soft microfiber cloth and a mild cleaning agent (preferably a screen cleaner, tested for compatibility beforehand) without damaging the display.

Conclusion: Reduce the risk of display damage - act sustainably

Overall, it is important to minimize the risk of display damage, as this can not only avoid expensive repairs, but also maintain the value of the device. By using a high-quality display protector, proper handling, and regular cleaning, the risk of display damage can be significantly reduced.