E-Waste Facts

E-waste (or electronic waste) refers to discarded electronic devices such as computers, televisions, mobile phones, and other electronic gadgets. E-waste is a major environmental problem as it contains hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants that can leach into the soil and water when dumped in landfills. According to the United Nations, the world generated 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste in 2019, and this number is projected to reach 74.7 million metric tons by 2030. The United States is one of the largest generators of e-waste, with Americans generating about 9.4 million tons of e-waste annually.Only about 20% of e-waste is recycled properly, and the rest is often sent to developing countries, where it is dismantled and processed in unsafe conditions, causing harm to both the environment and human health.