"Connecting Culture, Samsaris, and Media Literacy: Navigating Iran’s Journey from Mines to Mobiles Waste"

Natural common resources, AI, and the environmental impact of various gadgets are prominent topics at media and environmental sustainability conferences, which have drawn my attention.

Scholars worldwide emphasize that media literacy educators should encourage students and the younger generation to consider the environmental footprint of their lifestyle and move away from capitalist consumption habits. This is especially important because such behaviors have a significant environmental impact on nations rich in natural resources, like those in Africa.

But what is the scenario in countries rich in natural resources yet lacking electronic waste recycling systems? In these societies, which plays a more influential role: media literacy or culture? To truly understand this, one must explore these nations' cultural and economic aspects. In this context, I examine Iranian society as a case study.

Iranian society is complex and interconnected, with diverse characteristics. Historical and cultural factors play a crucial role in shaping behavior, even as consumerist lifestyles have become more widespread.

In past decades, certain professions existed in Iran, some of which have persisted while others have vanished. Some itinerant traders roamed neighborhoods, buying old household items, ranging from wooden and metal objects to kitchen utensils and other discarded goods. Over time, however, these traders gradually disappeared from neighborhoods, opting instead to establish fixed-location shops where they bought and sold old items. These items were not necessarily very old or unusable; often, their owners sold them intending to replace them with new ones. These shops, known as “Samsari” (junk shops) in Iran, specialize in buying and selling second-hand goods.

“Samsaris” purchases old items from one person and sells them to another who prefers not to buy brand-new goods. These shops remain active in Iran, dealing in everything from electrical appliances to furniture.

In a way, these shops have reduced the need for a formal recycling system in the country. Old items are passed from one person to another and reused for years before being discarded as waste. Additionally, the culture of helping others is deeply ingrained in Iranian society, with wealthier individuals often providing household items, including relatively new ones, to those with lower incomes.

However, the introduction of electronic devices has brought changes. In Iran, there are no Samsari-like stores dedicated to buying second-hand gadgets or mobile phones, nor is there a strong infrastructure for recycling them. This raises the question: What do people do with their old mobile phones, laptops, and other electronic devices, and what ultimately happens to them?

To explore this, I surveyed my social media followers. Based on my understanding of Iranian society, the results can probably be generalized to a part of society. Of course, the participants cannot be assumed to represent the entire Iranian society.

All respondents indicated that they do not discard their old and second-hand mobile phones. They typically follow one of two approaches: they either store the devices at home or, if the devices are still functional, sell them to someone interested or donate them to someone who cannot afford to buy new electronic devices. As a result, electronic devices in Iran are also less likely to enter the recycling cycle quickly.

In this context, it appears that Iranian authorities have not yet been alarmed by the widespread issue of electronic waste.

At the same time, flashy tech world advertisements and the constant upgrading of mobile phones and gadgets have drawn the younger generation in Iran, like in other countries, toward consumerism. While culture and the economy have somewhat protected the country from the accumulation of hazardous and polluting electronic waste, advertisements have driven young people to compete in the world of brands and consumerism.

But what is the local perspective on the presence of natural mines in their cities and provinces? How do the media portray the environmental crises resulting from mining activities?

The existence of natural mines in any city or province contributes to job creation and economic growth in that area. Locals take pride in the mines in their region and expect authorities to use these resources to improve the area's well-being and economy. Unfortunately, however, residents of resource-rich areas often experience lower levels of well-being compared to other regions. Moreover, the health of the population and various environmental species is threatened by mining activities. Yet, protests in these regions are more often focused on the insufficient share of wealth from natural resources than on the environmental impacts of mining.

Furthermore, the media, which often lack political independence and face heavy censorship, struggle to cover the environmental impacts of mining effectively. Natural resource management and investment are dictated by national policies, and the media are restricted to reporting on these topics through state-approved narratives. As a result, the media tend to focus on local demands for a share of natural resource wealth and economic growth rather than raising awareness about environmental protection.

In countries like Iran, where cultural factors and political economy significantly influence public opinion and natural resource management, education and the promotion of media literacy by environmental and cultural activists within municipal citizenship education can play a crucial role in shifting public demands toward environmental protection.

Tackling consumerism and its impact on the environment in Iran, like in other countries, requires public awareness. Therefore, media literacy in Iran and similar countries is essential to raise citizens' awareness in two key areas. First, changing their perspective on their country's natural resources to shift their demands toward protecting their local environment and investing in recycling systems. Second, to make them aware of the ecological footprint of their consumerism, especially since the recycling systems in these countries are not as developed as those in countries that produce well-known global brands.