Electronic waste

<p>Electronic waste (or e-waste) describes discarded electrical or <a href="/facts/Electronics/E4JhgISq">electronic devices</a>. It is also commonly known as waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) or end-of-life (EOL) electronics. Used electronics which are destined for refurbishment, reuse, resale, salvage recycling through material recovery, or disposal are also considered e-waste. Informal processing of e-waste in <a href="/facts/Developing_country/eTfS4kxl">developing countries</a> can lead to <a href="/facts/Adverse_effect/vAhfbr1J">adverse</a> human health effects and environmental <a href="/facts/Pollution/JRagxumQ">pollution</a>. The growing consumption of electronic goods due to the <a href="/facts/Digital_Revolution/II8Y4FEE">Digital Revolution</a> and innovations in <a href="/facts/Science_and_technology_studies/gaxMPc6b">science and technology</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Bitcoin/UJvqfray">bitcoin</a>, has led to a global e-waste problem and hazard. The rapid exponential increase of e-waste is due to frequent new model releases and unnecessary purchases of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), short innovation cycles and low recycling rates, and a drop in the average life span of computers.
</p><p>Electronic scrap components, such as <a href="/facts/Central_processing_unit/Jxp1bqMV">CPUs</a>, contain potentially harmful materials such as <a href="/facts/Lead/EYljasJN">lead</a>, <a href="/facts/Cadmium/wXkV2eIX">cadmium</a>, <a href="/facts/Beryllium/dv295voP">beryllium</a>, or <a href="/facts/Brominated_flame_retardant/829eRlVp">brominated flame retardants</a>. <a href="/facts/Electronic_waste_recycling/XIxx7MEm">Recycling and disposal of e-waste</a> may involve significant risk to the health of workers and their communities.
</p>

Electronic waste open-in-new

Electronic waste