Reduce E-Waste

Reduce E-Waste.

Stop E-Waste from filling our landfills with toxic chemicals.

What is E-Waste?

E-Waste simply refers to discarded electronic waste. Many of these electronic devices contain small amounts of valuable materials including gold, silver, copper, platinum, palladium, lithium, and cobalt. However, they also carry toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. Exposure to these toxins can lead to irreversible health and environmental effects.

The Problem

E-waste is the fastest growing source of solid waste in the world. But, as of 2019, less than one quarter of the world's E-waste was actually recycled.

The Problem

According to the WHO, the improper disposal of E-waste includes:

  1. Scavenging
  2. Dumping on land or in water bodies
  3. Landfilling along with regular waste
  4. Opening burning or heating
  5. Acid baths or acid leaching
  6. Stripping and shredding plastic coatings
  7. Manual disassembly of equipment

The Problem

Developed countries send roughly 24% of their E-waste to developing countries, where these harmful methods of disposal are used due to a lack of proper government safety regulations, training, and infrastructure. This number is expected to rise significantly as the use of technology grows in developed countries.

The Problem

These unsafe disposal methods have led to E-waste plants in less developed countries being some of the most toxic areas in the world, as toxicants such as lead and mercury are released when recycling E-waste improperly, which then contaminate water streams and pollute the air. Additionally, these toxicants have detrimental effects on human health. According to the WHO, high exposure to lead and mercury may heavily disrupt pregnancy, the central nervous system, and the structural development of the lungs.

What can we do?

What people can do to lessen the effects of e-waste

  • Reduce, recycle, and reuse electronic devices.
  • Maintain your current electronic equipment.
  • Keep product lifespan in mind when buying an electronic product.
  • Always check for an environmental seal.
  • Don't dispose of electronic devices in the trash. Either return the product to the manufacturer (if possible), or bring the product to your local town/county's DPW.

Want more information?

See the data.