From Gadget to Grave: A Journey of Faith, Waste and Stewardship

Neil D’Souza

In our fast-paced digital age, the latest smartphone or laptop / desktops often becomes obsolete within a few years—or even months. But what happens to our old devices once we discard them? The answer is troubling: they become part of the world’s growing mountain of electronic waste, or e-waste.

What Is E-Waste?

E-waste includes discarded electronic devices such as computers, phones, televisions, and household appliances. We generate millions of metric tons of e-waste each year, and this number is expected to rise sharply. Much of it ends up in landfills or is improperly recycled, releasing toxic substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium into the environment.

Why and how did we end up in this mess?

Today’s tech companies are driven by a singular goal: profit—often at the expense of people and the planet. In their pursuit to please shareholders, they constantly release new models of devices, enticing us to upgrade to the latest version. As a result, our older gadgets either end up in refurbished stores or, more alarmingly, as E-waste in landfills. Some companies even design products with planned obsolescence, ensuring that older models become unusable or unsupported, nudging us toward unnecessary upgrades. This feeds into a broader “throwaway culture”—a mindset that prioritizes convenience over care, and consumption over stewardship. As Catholics, we are called to be stewards of creation, not passive participants in a cycle of waste.

Our Response: A Call to Responsible Tech Stewardship

1. Buy Responsibly: Before purchasing a new gadget, we must pause and reflect. Choose electronics that are durable, repairable, and ethically made over those designed for quick disposal. Many devices today contain rare-earth elements like neodymium, praseodymium, europium, terbium, lanthanum used in Screens, Speakers, Batteries etc.—resources extracted at great environmental and human cost, often for only marginal improvements in performance or design.

Support companies that prioritize ethical sourcing, sustainability, and long-term usability. Tech reviewers on platforms like YouTube often highlight whether a device is a “deal breaker” or a “game changer,” and some even test durability or share long-term usage experiences. Be discerning. Some companies now promise software updates for 5–7 years, but without guaranteed access to spare parts, these promises can be misleading.

2. Extend the Life of Devices: Repair, don’t replace. Look up repairability scores (like those from iFixit) and teardown videos before buying. Simple upgrades—like adding RAM or switching to an SSD—can breathe new life into older desktops and laptops. And when a device still works but is no longer needed, consider donating it to schools, parishes, or charities.

3. Recycle Properly: When a device truly reaches the end of its life, dispose of it through certified e-waste recycling programs. These ensure that hazardous materials like batteries are handled safely and ethically, protecting both people and the planet.

4. Advocate for Change: Support policies that promote the right to repair, ethical labour practices, and environmental protection. As citizens and consumers, our voices matter.

Hope in Action
Catholic communities are stepping up through e-waste drives, education, and advocacy—living out our faith by caring for creation. Addressing e-waste is not just a practical concern; it is a spiritual act of justice and stewardship. “May our choices reflect not just what we want, but what the world needs.”

Neil D'Souza is the Digital Media Specialist for the Examiner (A Catholic Newsweekly) and is also an ICT Consultant and Web Designer to a number of our Salesian Institutions in the Province of Mumbai INB