'Fast tech' warning as demand for cheap gadgets heats up

Demand for "fast tech" - cheap electronic items quickly discarded - is on the rise, warns Material Focus, a nonprofit tackling electronic waste. The organization highlighted the surge in purchases of items like battery-powered mini-fans during heatwaves, indicating a growing trend in disposable gadgets. Consumer spending on fast tech has quadrupled to £11.6bn since 2023, raising concerns about environmental impact and the need for responsible consumption and recycling. Material Focus emphasizes the importance of recycling unwanted tech to recover valuable materials and reduce electronic waste, urging consumers to be mindful of their purchases and disposal practices.