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When e-waste is disposed into landfills or burned to extract valuable metals from inside the electronics, toxic chemicals, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, are released into the atmosphere (Geneva Environment Network. 2024). Additionally, when rain drenches the heaps of e-waste, these chemicals leak into bodies of water, contaminating them and the soil.
E-waste is one of the biggest and most difficult types of waste in the world. It includes things like old phones, computers, TVs, and other electronic devices. In 2019, people around the world created 53.6 million tons of e-waste, but only 17% of it was collected and recycled properly. By 2022, the amount of e-waste had grown to 62 million tons. That’s about 7.8 kilograms of e-waste for every person on the planet. Even though a little more was recycled—about 22%—most of the e-waste was still not handled the right way, which can harm the environment.
One of the toxins that e-waste emits is methane, which is 28 times more potent than CO2 at trapping heat in the atmosphere, further escalating global warming.
Howarth and Marino Lab
CH4 summary: Howarth Lab
The destruction of animal habitats is the result of e-waste consumed by animals, causing them to have halted organ development, respiratory issues, reproductive issues, and even circumstances leading to death.
Reboot Tech
How E-waste Affects Our Wildlife LLC
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