Electronic waste, often referred to as e-waste, consists of discarded electrical or electronic devices and equipment that have reached the end of their useful life or are no longer wanted by their owners. This broad category includes items such as computers, mobile phones, televisions, kitchen appliances, batteries, and even toys with electronic components. E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally, driven by rapid technological advancement and frequent product upgrades.

E-waste is often disposed of improperly in several ways, leading to significant environmental and health risks. Common improper methods include throwing electronic devices into regular trash bins, where they end up in landfills and release hazardous substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium into the soil and groundwater. Another widespread practice is open-air burning or informal recycling, which releases toxic chemicals and heavy metals into the air, contributing to air pollution and respiratory problems in nearby communities. In some cases, e-waste is dumped illegally on land or in water bodies, further contaminating ecosystems and water supplies.

Long-term e-waste pollution can have devastating effects on both ecosystems and human health. In ecosystems, toxic substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium leach from e-waste into soil and water, causing soil infertility, contaminating groundwater, and disrupting nutrient cycles. This contamination harms plants, reduces crop yields, and introduces toxins into the food chain, where they bioaccumulate and biomagnify, threatening animal populations and leading to a loss of biodiversity. Aquatic ecosystems are especially vulnerable, with heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants from e-waste runoff causing reproductive problems, organ damage, and even the collapse of entire river or marine systems. For humans, long-term exposure to e-waste toxins is linked to chronic health problems such as respiratory illnesses, neurological disorders, reproductive issues, cancer, and developmental delays in children.