Reflection: Revisiting the Familiar for a Fresh Start
In the ever-evolving world of audio-visual (AV) technology, it's essential to consider sustainability when upgrading equipment. The Pro AV industry should be mindful of the importance of sustainability during equipment upgrades, as outlined in the following steps for determining whether old equipment can be reallocated to new tasks or if it's time for an upgrade.
- Assess Functional Compatibility and Performance Evaluate whether the equipment meets the technical requirements of the new tasks without significant performance degradation or incompatibility issues. This may include checking if firmware or settings can be updated or reconfigured to support updated standards or new uses.
- Evaluate Repairability and Upgrade Potential Consider if the equipment can be refurbished, repaired, or enhanced with new components to extend its functional life. Sustainable-by-design strategies suggest prioritizing equipment that can be easily upgraded or re-used to promote circularity rather than outright replacement.
- Consider Environmental and Safety Factors If the old equipment contains hazardous materials or inefficient power usage, upgrading might be safer and more sustainable than continued use. Systems that are energy inefficient or pose safety risks may not be suitable for new tasks.
- Estimate the Sustainability Impact of Replacement vs. Reuse Reuse minimizes e-waste and reduces demand for new resources, which is preferable when safe and functional. However, if equipment is obsolete and inefficient, upgrading to newer, more sustainable technology can have long-term environmental benefits. Proper disposal or recycling of obsolete equipment, including wires and cables containing metals and toxins, is critical.
- Plan for Data and Configuration Transfer For equipment involving software configurations, backup and transfer features can facilitate reuse in new roles without unnecessary replacement.
- Recycle Responsibly When Equipment is Obsolete If the equipment cannot be repurposed or upgraded, use certified e-waste recycling programs or retailer take-back services to dispose of it responsibly, recovering valuable materials and reducing environmental harm.
Meanwhile, in a more personal note, the author recently started using a 34-inch curved monitor, the V3456C, from ViewSonic. The curved monitor takes up more real estate on the desk compared to the previous square-based monitor. The author expressed liking the curved monitor, but the thicker housing required adjustment of webcam placement. The renovation included fixing the sizing and removing the Social Security Number engraved on the inside of a Florida Atlantic University class ring the author owned. The base of the shank of the ring was flattened, affecting the fit, and the author had it renovated at a local jeweler. The author no longer wore the ring and found it in storage. The author previously used a 21:9 widescreen monitor and had a discussion about monitors at InfoComm, which led to receiving the curved monitor. The author is rethinking the office setup due to the curved monitor.
Determining which products can be reallocated to new tasks and which ones are destined for recycling is crucial. Some equipment that has outlived its usefulness as a primary or go-to solution can be reallocated to new tasks, such as old PTZ cameras being used as secondary tools, like weather cams or local school newscasts. Old gear should be disposed of responsibly when it's truly end-of-life. The author suggests finding a reasonable path toward continued use for old gear before disposal.
- Home-and-garden renovation led to the repositioning of the author's webcam, necessitated by the thicker housing of a new lifestyle product, a 34-inch curved monitor from ViewSonic for the home-office setup.
- Instead of disposing obsolete home-and-garden items, the author advocates rethinking their use and potential reallocation, such as old PTZ cameras repurposed as secondary home-and-garden products, like weather cams or local school newscasts to promote sustainability and reduce e-waste.
