Canalys Research warns of a looming electronic waste crisis as Microsoft signals the end of support for its Windows 10 operating system, risking the disposal of a staggering 240 million PCs. Despite potential functionality in these devices post-support, Canalys highlights the diminished demand for gadgets without security updates, potentially driving owners to discard them.
Microsoft’s declared termination of Windows 10 support by October 14, 2025, raises concerns, exacerbated by the company’s plan for paid security updates until October 2028, without disclosed costs. Canalys suggests that if the pricing trend mirrors past patterns, opting for new PCs might financially outweigh supporting existing ones, triggering a surge in e-waste estimated at a colossal 480 million kg.
The recycling potential of old computer components is acknowledged, offering avenues for sustainable resource recovery. However, the premature discarding of hard disks poses challenges, contributing to an excess of waste rare earth magnetic materials.
Source: Reuters
