At Renova Technology, we believe in the importance of sustainability, especially in the electronics industry. One of the key ways we contribute to this is through our PCB (Printed Circuit Board) repair services. Repairing rather than replacing PCBs offers numerous benefits, including cost savings, environmental protection, and the reduction of electronic waste (e-waste). Here’s how PCB repair supports sustainability:
Cost-Effectiveness
Repairing a PCB is often significantly more cost-effective than purchasing a new one. Many electronic devices contain complex and expensive circuit boards, and replacing these boards can be a major expense, especially in high-end electronics like industrial equipment. Repairing a PCB allows consumers and businesses to extend the life of their devices without the high cost associated with replacement.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlights that repair and reuse are key strategies for waste reduction, as they keep materials in use longer, reducing the need for new products and the resources required to manufacture them.
Environmental Sustainability
Repairing PCBs is a crucial step towards environmental sustainability. The manufacturing of new circuit boards involves the extraction and processing of raw materials, including precious metals like gold, silver, and palladium, as well as hazardous chemicals. By opting for repair, Renova technology reduces the demand for these resources and the environmental degradation associated with their extraction and processing.
Additionally, PCB repair typically consumes less energy than manufacturing new boards. This reduction in energy consumption contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions and a smaller carbon footprint for the electronics industry.
A study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration suggests that extending the life of electronic products through repair can reduce the environmental impact by up to 50%, compared to producing new products.
E-Waste Reduction
One of the most pressing issues in modern electronics is the reduction of e-waste. When circuit boards are discarded rather than repaired, they often end up in landfills or are incinerated, leading to significant environmental harm. E-waste contains toxic substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can leach into soil and water, posing serious health risks to both humans and wildlife.
Repairing PCBs directly contributes to the reduction of e-waste. By fixing and reusing existing boards, we prevent these hazardous materials from entering landfills and reduce the volume of electronic waste that needs to be managed.
According to the Global E-waste Monitor 2020, only 17.4% of e-waste is collected and properly recycled, meaning the vast majority ends up in landfills or is improperly disposed of. Repairing and reusing electronics is one of the most effective ways to address this growing problem.
Promoting a Circular Economy
PCB repair is aligned with the principles of a circular economy, which emphasizes keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible. Instead of following the traditional linear model of “take, make, dispose,” a circular economy focuses on reuse, repair, and recycling. By choosing to repair circuit boards, we contribute to this sustainable model and help create a system where resources are used more efficiently and waste is minimized.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a global leader in circular economy research and advocacy, identifies repair as a key strategy for achieving a circular economy in the electronics sector.
Preserving Critical Resources
The extraction of materials used in PCBs, such as rare earth metals, is not only environmentally damaging but also geopolitically sensitive. Many of these materials are sourced from regions with unstable governments or poor labor practices. By repairing and reusing PCBs, we reduce the demand for these materials, helping to preserve critical resources and lessen the environmental and social impact of their extraction.
The Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) at the University of Technology Sydney has highlighted the importance of resource efficiency and the role of repair in conserving critical materials.
How Renova Helps Maintaining Sustainability
Over the last 26 years, Renova Technology has kept over 11 million pounds of e-waste from entering landfills with our PCBA repair and supply chain services. Renova also works directly with OEMs and CMs to solve volume based “rework” or product modifications domestically on newly manufactured equipment rather than dispose and start over in terms of design change.
Over the last ten years Renova has estimated that this extended life of a repaired printed circuit board, or surveillance camera approximates 4-5 years.
At Renova Technology, we can therefore further estimate that every year we generate 400,000 years of functional, useful device life. This four-year extension of useful electronic device life also could serve as a multiplier, making the 11 million pounds of waste saved really as much as 44 million over the last 20 years. That is about 20,000 metric tons.
We are extremely proud of that. In addition, Renova also provides “Repair Data Intelligence” to our OEM customers, which has been proven to avert epidemic field failures, reduce cost, and environmental impact of new CM production. We have also been voted “Best-In-Class” by OEM customers by virtue of the quality of services we provide and recognized as a “Company-To-Know”, by SDM Magazine.
Conclusion
Repairing PCBs is a sustainable practice that offers numerous benefits, including cost savings, environmental protection, and the reduction of e-waste. By choosing repair over replacement, we can contribute to a more sustainable and responsible electronics industry. At Renova Technology, we are committed to promoting these values through our dedicated PCB repair services.
