I don't know, this has me thinking and feeling some ways about e-waste. I think at the very least Spotify should be on the hook for handling the e-waste, especially if they're refusing to offer a...
I don't know, this has me thinking and feeling some ways about e-waste. I think at the very least Spotify should be on the hook for handling the e-waste, especially if they're refusing to offer a route to make them remain usable devices. I would think that Spotify could also properly recycle/refurb some components since it is their device. Though I don't think they should be allowed to brick the devices to begin with, not without open sourcing it at least.
I think in general we need to hold companies more liable for the e-waste they generate, something along the lines of an e-waste tax (similar to carbon taxes) and a requirement for manufacturers to take back any electronic they sell to recycle themselves. This would probably trickle back on the consumer, but I'm not so sure that'd be a bad thing if it gets us making less waste.
That's an awful lot of shoulds, thinks, and woulds though. We don't live in that world, I suppose it is reasonable for Spotify to do the bare minimum legally required. So what are y'all's thoughts on the ideas I've shared, do y'all think they would be a net positive for the environment and consumer if something similar were codified by law?
It definitely needs the specifics hammered out, but I like your ideas! They actually reminded me of something. I think Apple stumbled into one aspect of this on their most recent watches. If you...
It definitely needs the specifics hammered out, but I like your ideas! They actually reminded me of something. I think Apple stumbled into one aspect of this on their most recent watches. If you haven’t heard, they buy carbon offsets to account for all of the charging that the watch will need throughout its lifetime. (Ignoring all of the potential issues with carbon offsets) This seems like a really good solution to the issue if codified into law. For example, the company or the consumer could be required to pay for externalized carbon emissions (from charging, production, recycling, etc) upon sale of the device. Maybe like the CRV we have on cans and bottles that is used to fund recycling programs?
A capitalist market is incredibly good at accounting for new costs. The issue is it’s also great at externalizing those costs. If we can regulate such that costs cannot be externalized, our capitalist market will fix so many issues almost overnight. If there were no externalities, I honestly don’t care how much ewaste Spotify makes, because then there is a fund to take care of all the issues it causes.
Reverse supply chain is an existing thing for many sectors, and yes it adds costs, but businesses know how to do it. Implement a tax on e-waste, and offer companies tax credits for recycling...
Reverse supply chain is an existing thing for many sectors, and yes it adds costs, but businesses know how to do it.
Implement a tax on e-waste, and offer companies tax credits for recycling programs, which is just another kind of reverse supply chain. Most would likely outsource the program, paying the contractor per unit recycled and then claiming the credit year end.
I remember some items in the past included a QR code to request a prepaid shipping envelope to send the unit to recycling.
Of course, it is probably more efficient to just use local electronic recycling programs in counties that have those, but not all do.
Still, am interesting idea to noodle over. I think probably the most efficient thing is to simply tax devices that contribute to e-waste and use the taxes to fund recycling programs embedded in the current waste supply chain. Would have to crunch the numbers though.
I can't decide if I want to pick one up cheap in the hopes that some creative hacker type finds a way to do something interesting with them. Best case scenario I get a new device to tinker with....
I can't decide if I want to pick one up cheap in the hopes that some creative hacker type finds a way to do something interesting with them. Best case scenario I get a new device to tinker with. Worst case, I have more junk...
I wonder if they have the hardware necessary to function as a CarPlay/Android Auto receiver. It would be a neat option for people who want these features, but don't want to buy a new car or can't...
I wonder if they have the hardware necessary to function as a CarPlay/Android Auto receiver. It would be a neat option for people who want these features, but don't want to buy a new car or can't realistically swap out the head unit on their existing car.
I believe I read somewhere that they do also act as CarPlay/Android Auto receivers, although I don't know whether this will continue on unmodified devices after Spotify shutters them.
I believe I read somewhere that they do also act as CarPlay/Android Auto receivers, although I don't know whether this will continue on unmodified devices after Spotify shutters them.
Looking into it, the functionality is a bit...backwards? Car Thing won't function as a CarPlay/AA receiver, but it will plug into CarPlay/AA compatible head units via USB and mirror its own screen...
Car Thing won't function as a CarPlay/AA receiver, but it will plug into CarPlay/AA compatible head units via USB and mirror its own screen on them.
Kinda neat that they implemented this, but I'm not sure why someone would buy a Car Thing in the first place if they already had CarPlay/AA available to begin with.
Not ideal, since they’ll just turn into e-waste once they’re deactivated but I think that giving everyone a refund is a reasonable gesture.
Offering a refund if they reach out and ask for one after initially stating they wouldn't be giving anyone a refund.
I don't know, this has me thinking and feeling some ways about e-waste. I think at the very least Spotify should be on the hook for handling the e-waste, especially if they're refusing to offer a route to make them remain usable devices. I would think that Spotify could also properly recycle/refurb some components since it is their device. Though I don't think they should be allowed to brick the devices to begin with, not without open sourcing it at least.
I think in general we need to hold companies more liable for the e-waste they generate, something along the lines of an e-waste tax (similar to carbon taxes) and a requirement for manufacturers to take back any electronic they sell to recycle themselves. This would probably trickle back on the consumer, but I'm not so sure that'd be a bad thing if it gets us making less waste.
That's an awful lot of shoulds, thinks, and woulds though. We don't live in that world, I suppose it is reasonable for Spotify to do the bare minimum legally required. So what are y'all's thoughts on the ideas I've shared, do y'all think they would be a net positive for the environment and consumer if something similar were codified by law?
It definitely needs the specifics hammered out, but I like your ideas! They actually reminded me of something. I think Apple stumbled into one aspect of this on their most recent watches. If you haven’t heard, they buy carbon offsets to account for all of the charging that the watch will need throughout its lifetime. (Ignoring all of the potential issues with carbon offsets) This seems like a really good solution to the issue if codified into law. For example, the company or the consumer could be required to pay for externalized carbon emissions (from charging, production, recycling, etc) upon sale of the device. Maybe like the CRV we have on cans and bottles that is used to fund recycling programs?
A capitalist market is incredibly good at accounting for new costs. The issue is it’s also great at externalizing those costs. If we can regulate such that costs cannot be externalized, our capitalist market will fix so many issues almost overnight. If there were no externalities, I honestly don’t care how much ewaste Spotify makes, because then there is a fund to take care of all the issues it causes.
Reverse supply chain is an existing thing for many sectors, and yes it adds costs, but businesses know how to do it.
Implement a tax on e-waste, and offer companies tax credits for recycling programs, which is just another kind of reverse supply chain. Most would likely outsource the program, paying the contractor per unit recycled and then claiming the credit year end.
I remember some items in the past included a QR code to request a prepaid shipping envelope to send the unit to recycling.
Of course, it is probably more efficient to just use local electronic recycling programs in counties that have those, but not all do.
Still, am interesting idea to noodle over. I think probably the most efficient thing is to simply tax devices that contribute to e-waste and use the taxes to fund recycling programs embedded in the current waste supply chain. Would have to crunch the numbers though.
I can't decide if I want to pick one up cheap in the hopes that some creative hacker type finds a way to do something interesting with them. Best case scenario I get a new device to tinker with. Worst case, I have more junk...
I wonder if they have the hardware necessary to function as a CarPlay/Android Auto receiver. It would be a neat option for people who want these features, but don't want to buy a new car or can't realistically swap out the head unit on their existing car.
I believe I read somewhere that they do also act as CarPlay/Android Auto receivers, although I don't know whether this will continue on unmodified devices after Spotify shutters them.
Looking into it, the functionality is a bit...backwards?
Car Thing won't function as a CarPlay/AA receiver, but it will plug into CarPlay/AA compatible head units via USB and mirror its own screen on them.
Kinda neat that they implemented this, but I'm not sure why someone would buy a Car Thing in the first place if they already had CarPlay/AA available to begin with.