Facts About E-Waste

Electronics pervade nearly every facet of our lives: from basic tasks like cooking, brushing teeth, and styling hair, to entire sectors like the entertainment industry. However, the ubiquity of these devices creates an unwelcome byproduct – electronic waste, or e-waste.

At eCycle Florida, our mission is to combat the e-waste epidemic. We believe that knowledge is power, and that informing people about the global consequences of e-waste can lead to more responsible disposal habits.

Understanding E-Waste: Its Implication and Relevance

Ever thought about what to do with your old cables or defunct mobile phones when a newer version arrives? Or what happens to outdated circuit boards? These are all examples of e-waste – unwanted or obsolete electronic devices. The lifespan of electronics often outpaces their usefulness, creating a disposal dilemma. But fear not, you’re in the right place if you’re looking to grasp the magnitude of e-waste. Here are some insightful facts:

E-Waste Conceals Toxic Elements: Modern electronics contain harmful materials such as cadmium, lead, mercury, and beryllium. While they pose no threat in everyday usage, e-waste in landfills can decompose, releasing these toxins into the environment, a process known as leaching.
Leaching Can Contaminate Water: It’s easy to overlook the impacts of e-waste on our water systems. However, leaching can occur in landfills housing e-waste, causing these toxins to permeate the soil and infiltrate our groundwater.
Recycling E-Waste Saves Energy: Imani Fries, a Sustainability Expert, reveals that recycling e-waste can power thousands of households annually. For instance, recycling a million laptops can generate enough energy to power 3,600 households per year.
E-Waste Often Ends Up Overseas: Although it’s tempting to assume that our discarded electronics get recycled locally, the truth is many of them end up in landfills in Asia and Africa, contributing to global environmental degradation.
E-Waste Production is Escalating: A report by the United Nations indicated that only 17.4% of the e-waste produced in 2019 was recycled. The United States alone generated 6.92 million tonnes of e-waste that year. By 2021, worldwide e-waste output exceeded 33 million tonnes.
Only a Fraction of E-Waste is Recycled: Currently, only 12.5% of e-waste is recycled. The remainder piles up in landfills, leaching toxins, or gets incinerated, emitting harmful gases.
E-Waste Accounts for Most Toxic Waste: Alarmingly, e-waste constitutes 70% of the world’s toxic waste. This striking figure underscores the environmental implications of our e-waste disposal methods.
E-Waste Drives Up Metal Prices: Irresponsible disposal of e-waste is inflating the prices of rare metals used in technology. Around 250 kg of silver, 24 kg of gold, and 9 tonnes of copper could be recovered from every million discarded cell phones.
E-Waste Represents Billions in Lost Value: Experts estimate that e-waste represents at least $62.5 billion in potential value, a figure greater than the gross national product of many countries.
E-Waste Volumes Set to Double: The World Economic Forum warns that if we fail to curb e-waste production, it will double in volume and continue to skyrocket.
All Electronics Can Be Recycled: Despite the fact that 70% of people discard their old cell phones immediately after buying a new one, each electronic device harbors at least one recyclable component. In fact, most electronics can be broken down to retrieve valuable materials like glass, metals, and plastic, or repurposed entirely.

Your Role with eCycle Florida

As electronic devices become increasingly integral to our lives, the question is not if, but when they will need to be recycled. The answer for anyone concerned about environmental, economic, or human health is “as soon as possible.”

Taking on this responsibility might seem overwhelming, but eCycle Florida is here to simplify the process. Together, we can pave the way for a better, more sustainable tomorrow. Contact eCycle Florida today.

This post was written by Steven Elia Co-Founder and Recycling Director at eCycle Florida. eCycle Florida is a R2 Certified electronics recycling company in the state of Florida. Our processes and procedures are dedicated to the proper destruction and recycling of your electronics. eCycle Florida is your go-to for electronic recycling in Tampa