In the late 1970s, concerned by resource use and scarcity, German industrial designer Dieter Rams developed his “ten principles for good design”. Among other things, he argued for design that is long-lasting and environmentally friendly. Half a century later, his concerns are more relevant than ever.
According to the UN’s Global E-waste Monitor, the amount of e-waste generated worldwide almost doubled from 2010 to 2022, and is projected to increase by another 32% by 2030. One driver is the growing number of new devices. According to Eurostat, the amount of electrical and electronic equipment put on the EU market rose from 7.6 million tonnes in 2012 to 14.4 million in 2023.
