Many of us think we know what electronic waste is because we wonder what to do with devices we no longer want or need.

It’s the old cell phone and its charger stuffed in the drawer or the Laptop and PC downstairs in the storage room.

But it is far more than all of that.

E-Waste arises ubiquitously, but unevenly, throughout the lives of electronics, not only when users discard their devices. No amount of post-consumer recycling can recoup the waste generated before consumers purchase their devices.  

Electronics contain a wide variety of materials. One compelling example is copper. 

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Electronic products account for about three-quarters of total copper use worldwide. 

In 2017 only 8 percent of old copper products needed were recycled. The rest had to be mined. For every 2 pounds of copper mined, at least 460 pounds of mine waste arises.

Our thirst for newer or latest models starts the ripple effect that ends up in a never-ending spiral.

In the U.S. we dispose of more than 416,000 mobile phones daily.

The average household owns 28 electronic devices.

We account for approximately 9.4 million tons of E-Waste annually. Far more than any other country worldwide.