Students advocate for reduced electronic waste through joint study initiative

Students advocate for reduced electronic waste through joint study initiative

renching together as part of the Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) initiative within the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, a group of passionate students known as SERC Scholars are working tirelessly to tackle the most pressing problems humanity faces in the digital realm.

Each term, students from all disciplines and levels across MIT are encouraged to join a unique working group led by a SERC postdoctoral associate. Each group delves into a specific issue, such as surveillance or data ownership, culminating in a final project presented at the end of the semester.

Recently, a remarkable group of undergraduate and graduate students had the opportunity to delve into the environmental and climate justice implications of the electronics hardware life cycle, resulting in a published case study. This is an unusual chance for undergraduates to earn this recognition and for their audience to be other undergraduates worldwide.

"Our team was an absolute kaleidoscope of talent," says Anastasia Dunca, a junior majoring in computer science and one of the co-authors. "Joining the SERC Scholars Program appealed to me because I wanted to be part of a dynamic group from across MIT working on a project that leveraged all of our abilities. It also helps undergraduates learn the ins and outs of computing ethics research."

Case study co-author Jasmin Liu, an MBA student at the MIT Sloan School of Management, views the program as a launching pad for understanding the intersection of technology, society, and ethics: "I mixed with students spanning computer science, urban planning, art/culture/technology. With so many different perspectives, I was excited to work on a diverse team because I knew complex problems need multiple viewpoints. Combining my background in humanities and business with the expertise of others allowed us to approach our project with innovation and rigor."

Christopher Rabe, a former SERC postdoctoral fellow who facilitated the group, says, "I empowered the students to take the reins on identifying the topic and conducting the research." Rabe aimed to challenge students across disciplines to develop a working definition of climate justice for themselves.

From mines to e-waste piles

The SERC Scholars' case study, "From Mining to E-waste: The Environmental and Climate Justice Implications of the Electronics Hardware Life Cycle," was published by the MIT Case Studies in Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing.

This ongoing case studies series, which releases new issues biannually on an open-source platform, is making it easier for undergraduate educators worldwide to incorporate research-based education materials on computing ethics into their class syllabi.

In this case study, the team broke down the electronics life cycle from mining to manufacturing, usage, and disposal. It shed light on how this cycle perpetuates inequalities in the Global South. Mining for the common minerals found in everyday devices contributes to illegal deforestation, causing air pollution in the Amazon, and fomenting armed conflict in Congo. Manufacturing produces health risks for both formal and informal workers, including child laborers.

The case study proposes life cycle assessment and circular economy as mechanisms for analyzing environmental and climate justice issues in the electronics life cycle while posing questions instead of providing solutions. This encourages readers to ponder their individual roles as producers of e-waste.

Crafting and constructing a case study

Dunca joined Rabe's working group, sparked by the invitation to conduct an in-depth literature review touching on topics like data center resource and energy use, manufacturing waste, ethical issues with AI, and climate change. Rabe swiftly recognized that a common interest unifying all team members was understanding and minimizing e-waste and its impact on the environment.

"I had the hunch that we would co-author a case study," Rabe shared. However, the extensive writing process initially seemed intimidating to students who were more accustomed to conducting applied research. Once Rabe created sub-groups with specific tasks, the case study's outline, writing process, and iterations became more accessible.

One task for Ellie Bultena, an undergraduate focusing on linguistics and philosophy, was conducting field research on the loading dock of MIT's Stata Center. Students and faculty "cruft" there by sifting through piles of discarded lab equipment, printers, and broken computers to repurpose parts for new devices or art projects. Although unofficial on campus, Bultena's respondents suggested that MIT could work harder to reduce its e-waste production and introduce more formal recycling strategies.

Rabe, now an education program director at the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative, hopes that through the Zero-Carbon Campus Initiative, which aims to eliminate all direct emissions by 2050, MIT will serve as a model for other educational institutions.

Though the group didn't have the time or resources to travel to communities in the Global South mentioned in their case study, they relied on comprehensive secondary research to gather data on the irresponsible dumping of e-waste by some countries. In contrast, others have developed innovative solutions that can be replicated on a larger scale.

"We source materials, manufacture them, and then toss them out," Lelia Hampton says. A PhD candidate in electrical engineering and computer science and another co-author, Hampton relished the chance to serve as a writer, pulling together the findings of the sub-groups. "Writing a case study was a thrilling experience. Now I want to write ten more!"

The content directly influenced Hampton's dissertation research, which "examines applying machine learning to tackle climate justice issues such as urban heat islands." Hampton expects that the writing experience prepares her for the nonprofit organization she wants to establish, which will provide communities with free resources and data to combat climate change and fight injustice.

Dunca, Liu, Rabe, Bultena, and Hampton are joined on the case study by other contributors such as Mrinalini Singha, a graduate student in the Art, Culture, and Technology program; Sungmoon Lim, a graduate student in urban studies and planning and EECS; Lauren Higgins, a political science major; and Madeline Schlegel, a Northeastern University co-op student.

Putting the case study into action

Although PhD students have been integral contributors to previous case studies in the series, this publication marks the first to be co-authored with MIT undergraduates. Like any other peer-reviewed journal, the SERC Scholars' case study underwent anonymous reviews from senior scholars drawn from various fields.

The series editor, David Kaiser, also served as one of SERC's inaugural associate deans and helped shape the program. "The case studies, by design, are concise, easy to read, and don't consume significant amounts of time," Kaiser explained. "They serve as stepping stones for students to delve deeper into a topic that likely already piqued their curiosity. This term, Kaiser, the Germeshausen Professor of the History of Science and a professor of physics, is teaching STS.004 (Intersections: Science, Technology, and the World), an undergraduate introduction to the field of science, technology, and society. The final month of the semester is dedicated exclusively to SERC case studies, including "From Mining to E-Waste."

Hampton was deeply moved to learn that the case study is being used at MIT but also by some of the 250,000 visitors to the SERC platform, many of whom are directly impacted by the issues the team researched. "Many students are passionate about climate change, whether through computer science, data science, or mechanical engineering. I hope this case study enlightens them about the environmental and climate aspects of e-waste and computing."

Now that the case study has been published, SERC Scholars aim to delve into new topics, armed with newfound knowledge and enthusiasm to drive positive change in the digital world.

1. The Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) initiative within the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing provides a platform for students from various disciplines and levels to address critical issues in the digital realm.
2. A unique working group led by a SERC postdoctoral associate allows students to explore specific problems, such as surveillance or data ownership, culminating in a final project presented at the end of the semester.
3. A group of undergraduate and graduate students from the SERC Scholars Program recently examined the environmental and climate justice implications of the electronics hardware life cycle, resulting in a published case study.
4. Anastasia Dunca, a junior majoring in computer science, finds the SERC Scholars Program appealing because it unites students with diverse talents and backgrounds to work on a project that leverages their abilities.
5. Jasmin Liu, an MBA student at the MIT Sloan School of Management, claims the program offers an opportunity to understand the intersection of technology, society, and ethics.
6. Christopher Rabe, a former SERC postdoctoral fellow, empowers students to identify topics and conduct research, challenging them to develop a working definition of climate justice.
7. The SERC Scholars' case study, titled "From Mining to E-waste: The Environmental and Climate Justice Implications of the Electronics Hardware Life Cycle," was published by the MIT Case Studies in Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing.
8. The series aims to make it easier for undergraduate educators worldwide to incorporate research-based education materials on computing ethics into their class syllabi.
9. The case study divulges how the electronics life cycle from mining to manufacturing, usage, and disposal perpetuates inequalities in the Global South.
10. The case study proposes life cycle assessment and circular economy as mechanisms for analyzing environmental and climate justice issues in the electronics life cycle while posing questions instead of offering solutions.
11. Ellie Bultena, an undergraduate focusing on linguistics and philosophy, conducted field research on the loading dock of MIT's Stata Center, gathering insights into reducing e-waste production and introducing more formal recycling strategies.
12. The Zero-Carbon Campus Initiative, which aims to eliminate all direct emissions by 2050, may serve as a model for other educational institutions.
13. The group didn't have the time or resources to travel to communities in the Global South mentioned in their case study, but they relied on comprehensive secondary research to gather data on the irresponsible dumping of e-waste by some countries.
14. Lelia Hampton, a PhD candidate in electrical engineering and computer science, relished the opportunity to serve as a writer, pulling together the findings of the sub-groups.
15. The content influenced Hampton's dissertation research, which focuses on applying machine learning to tackle climate justice issues.
16. David Kaiser, the series editor and a professor of physics, intends to teach undergraduate students a course on science, technology, and society and incorporate the case studies, including "From Mining to E-Waste," into the curriculum.
17. Hampton hopes her case study enlightens students about the environmental and climate aspects of e-waste and inspires them to further explore the issue in their respective fields.

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