Quiz: How much do you know about e-waste?
Do you know what’s really inside your favorite electronic devices … and how we can avoid wasting critical minerals? Try our 8 question quiz.
New economy
As we keep producing and consuming ever-increasing quantities of “stuff,” a growing number of people are asking: Can we create an economy that values common interests, public health and the quality of our lives, over growth at any cost?
We should be able to fix our stuff when it breaks. We need easy access to the information, tools, resources and third party repair shops it takes to fix our cell phones, appliances, electronics and other equipment. That means working together to get the companies who make our stuff, to give us the right to repair our stuff. When they do, it will be better for the planet, better for our budgets, and things will work the way they are supposed to.
The Latest on New economy
Apple AirPods are designed to die: Here’s what you should know
Disposable vapes are creating piles of electronic waste
Featured Resources
WasteX: Environmental harms of satellite internet mega-constellations
‘Failing the Fix’ scorecard grades Apple, Samsung, Google, others on how fixable their devices are
Full Letter— Parents, environmentalists to Google: stop Chromebooks from expiring this summer
‘Chromebook Churn’ report highlights problems of short-lived laptops in schools
The Latest
Why do we replace our laptops every few years?
Many companies and schools buy new laptops every four years or so. But why does this have to be the “standard” life cycle? Couldn’t it be much longer?
What is e-waste?
Electronic waste, or "e-waste," such as discarded smartphones, laptops, TVs and other devices can harm our environment and our health.
The hidden costs of ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’
U.S. PIRG Education Fund reviewed data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and found that the most common complaints about “Buy Now, Pay Later” plans include hidden fees, high interest rates and problems when it comes time for debt collection.
STATEMENT: Apple concedes to Right to Repair movement, reverses ban on selling parts to consumers
Apple reversed its longstanding policy against selling spare parts, providing repair instructions, and making repair software tools available to customers.
New Report Shows What Illinoisans Tried to Fix in 2020, and the Barriers They Still Face
Illinois PIRG released a new report Friday, “What are Illinoisans Fixing?” which compiles data from the popular repair instruction website iFixit.com about what items people in Illinois were fixing the most in 2020. The report also takes a closer look at the broader repair ecosystem, including barriers that make it harder than it should be to perform basic repairs and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the things we were fixing.