E-waste is all the electronics we chuck when we're done with them - from your cracked smartphone to that ancient printer you never use. Officially, it's called WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), and it includes anything with circuits, electrical parts, or a power supply that no longer works or was thrown away.
Why is it a problem? E-waste is multiplying faster than fast fashion trends, causing major environmental and health issues. And globally, we don’t have enough infrastructure to handle all of it.
Why should we care? For starters, it's our future on the line. The environmental impact of e-waste is no joke, and we'll be the ones dealing with the consequences in just six years – hopefully not all Wall-E style.
It’s not all doom and gloom. The push for sustainable tech is creating a whole new job market. There are people, governments, and companies who care. Before we talk about how we can make a change, let’s talk about the scale of the problem and the effect our e-waste is having on us and our environment.
The exponential growth of tech trash
According to the Global E-Waste Monitor, global e-waste generation has nearly doubled in the past 12 years, and it’s projected to increase another 75% by 2030.
Along with the primary issue of the staggering amount of e-waste being generated, we are facing significant recycling challenges as well. We would need five times more recycling facilities to deal with the amount of waste that requires processing. Alarmingly, only about 22% of e-waste generated globally gets recycled.
But why is it so hard to recycle e-waste? Because it all contains chemicals that are harmful to the environment and the human body. Toxic chemicals, rare metals, and plastics are all mixed into each device, which makes it complex to fully recycle.
What’s driving e-waste?
The world is experiencing widespread electronification. More and more devices and objects are becoming electronic or internet-connected – fridges, cars, locks, lightbulbs, e-cigarettes. The Internet of Things (IoT) trend combined with people owning multiple devices and the short lifecycles of modern electronics contribute to the problem.
We all love a new smartphone or a lightbulb we can turn off with a remote. But no one tells you that when you get rid of your old phone or throw out that broken lightbulb where it’s going or what it’s doing to the environment.
It’s not just new novel electronic inventions. It’s also your grandpa’s favorite saying, “They just don’t make things like they used to.” What the tech industry calls planned obsolescence.
Small equipment, such as toys, microwave ovens, and vacuum cleaners, make up the largest category of e-waste. Things that used to last 20+ years, now get replaced every 10 or even five years. Even advancements in “green” technology contribute to the issue, with e-waste from solar panels almost quadrupling recently.
Only 40% of countries have national e-waste legislation/policies in place to enforce collection and recycling. Even the U.S. lacks federal laws mandating electronics recycling; only 25 states and the District of Columbia have laws related to electronics recycling.
What does e-waste do to the environment and human health?
The consequences of e-waste on the environment and human health are significant and concerning. Plus, they’re much more severe in regions where e-waste is managed improperly – namely low-income countries. It’s a global issue.
Here’s how it’s affecting us:
Environmental consequences of e-waste
The top three environmental consequences are, sadly, almost completely preventable with the proper infrastructure in place. They are:
Toxic pollution: Massive amounts of mercury, plastics containing brominated flame retardants, and lead are released into the environment. This can lead to soil and water contamination
Climate change: Improper management of refrigerants in temperature exchange equipment contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
Resource squandering: Discarding e-waste without proper recycling wastes billions of dollars’ worth of precious materials, forcing more mining and extraction of untouched resources.
Human health consequences of e-waste
Most of the human health issues with e-waste are similar to the environmental hazards. What affects the earth, affects humans, too. They are:
Toxic exposure: Hazardous substances in the environment can pose serious health risks to humans, especially those involved in informal recycling or living near improper disposal sites.
Air pollution: In some countries, the easiest way to deal with the unregulated dumping of e-waste is open burning. But, it releases toxic fumes containing heavy metals and other harmful substances in the air, which can be inhaled by the people who have to handle the unregulated dumping and people in nearby communities.
Food chain contamination: Contaminated soil and water leads to toxic substances in food and water for miles around these unregulated dumping sites and “informal recycling” centers.
Long-term health effects: Respiratory issues, neurological damage, and increased cancer risk are all side effects of getting exposed to unregulated handling and recycling of e-waste.
Long story short, the way we handle e-waste globally and the shortage of recycling centers is posing major contamination and health risks for both the earth and humans in the regions where e-waste is dumped.
E-Waste Evolution
Here are four ways we can reduce e-waste and its detrimental effects.
1. Circular economy
Ever heard of the circular economy? It's like recycling – but better. Instead of just tossing your old phone, imagine if it was designed to be easily fixed or upgraded. Some companies are starting to catch on, making products that last longer and are easier to repair. It's not just good for the planet – it should save you money in the long run, too!
2. Eco-friendly designs
Sustainable product design is slowly becoming the norm. Manufacturers are finally realizing that we want products that don't break in five minutes. Some of them are greenwashing their marketing. But many companies, like Lenovo, are actually using more sustainable materials and making electronics with replaceable parts. No more ditching your headphones just because one ear stopped working!
3. Recycling tech upgrades
Recycling is getting better. We're talking AI and robots that can sort e-waste faster – and safer – than humans. Scientists are even coming up with new ways to extract precious metals from old circuit boards. It's like alchemy, but for real!
4. Legislation that is impactful
Governments are starting to step up their game. They're making laws that force companies to take responsibility for their products – even after you're done with them. Some places are making it illegal for companies to stop you from repairing your own stuff. About time, right?
How you can make a difference
Sometimes combatting things that affect the environment the most can feel overwhelming. Like, it’s impossible to make a change against such a monumental problem.
Especially because, for the most part, we as consumers aren’t the real problem – it’s the corporations creating planned obsolescence and governments that aren’t doing enough to regulate that got us into this mess. But, at the end of the day, our choices play a part too.
Here are three ways you can get involved in changing global e-waste issues.
1. Shop smarter
Your buying choices are lowkey powerful. Before you get a new gadget, ask yourself: "Do I really need this?" If you do, look for brands that are truly eco-friendly – not just greenwashing. Bonus points if they offer repair services, use recycled materials, or only use materials that can be recycled. Conscious consumerism isn’t as hard as you think!
2. Spread the word, not the waste
Just talking about issues like this casually can make a difference. You don’t have to have a big platform, make content about it, or even fight other people in the comments section. I mean, those things are awesome too if you want to go that far!
But you can make noise about companies doing it right (or wrong) just by leaving a review, chatting with your friends or family about it, or even buying more sustainable items that clearly display the logos of the sustainable company. Your voice matters, so use it to hype up the planet!
3. Careers in sustainability
Want a job that doesn't suck and helps the Earth? The sustainable tech field is booming! From designing eco-friendly gadgets to developing new recycling tech, there are tons of exciting, purposeful, and well-paying career paths. Plus, you get to put that ‘you're literally saving the world’ on your resume.
Be the Change You Want to See
Got a killer idea for tackling e-waste? Run with it! Start a repair cafe at your school. Create an app that connects people with local recycling spots. Start a YouTube channel about tech repair. The solutions are out there, waiting for your creativity to bring them to life.
As digital natives, we're more connected to the world than ever before. That gives us a unique perspective on global citizenship and social responsibility. We can use it to our advantage to drive real change, not just in our local communities but globally.
Whether it's making smarter buying choices, spreading awareness on social media, talking to your local lawmakers, or pursuing a career in green tech, every action counts. We have the skills, the creativity, and the passion to revolutionize how the world deals with e-waste.
We're not just the future - we're the now. Together, we can turn this e-waste evolution into a tech revolution.
Comment on this article or get involved on the forum! How do you combat e-waste?
Rachel is a freelance writer for EdTech companies. She studied Education and Achievement Motivation at Wheelock College. She made it through college on a trusty Lenovo Yoga. When she’s not writing, she spends her time adventuring in the outdoors, doing arts and crafts, and snuggling with her cat, Bonnie.
Find her on LinkedIn and her website.