Eco Facts

End-of-life toxic electronic products are the fastest growing component of landfill waste growing at 3-5% annually.

Industry research puts the number of unused PCs in warehouses, storerooms and closets at 150 million units costing companies approximately $54 billion over a three year period.

State governments across the country are adopting the European Union's (EU) Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations prohibiting the discarding of electronic devices into landfills.

Businesses and consumers electronics generate 1.9 million tons of electronic waste (EPA) every year.

Today, 1.9 – 2.2 million tons of electronics are discarded each year. Of that, 1.5 to 1.9 million of electronics are discarded in landfills polluting the soil and water systems and posing a risk to human health and negatively impacting the environment.

Obsolete toxic electronic products are the fastest growing component of landfill waste. E-Waste is growing at a rate of 3 – 5% annually (E Cycle Solutions). Discarded electronic products contain materials such as lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, beryllium and other toxic material that pollute the soil and water systems posing a risk to human health and the environment. Our ability to provide a sustainable future for our children and generations to come depends on how we react to the current and pending environmental dangers.

Recyclers recover more than 100 million pounds of materials from electronic devices each year. According to the EPA, 80-85 percent of the 100 million pounds is being disposed of in landfills.

The Federal Government does not have existing laws prohibiting the dumping of E-Waste into landfills but eighteen state governments are leading the charge and adopting many of the WEEE regulations. Many of these laws do not go into affect until 2010 but there are several states that are ahead of the curve such as California and Oregon.

Over the next three years, Americans will throw out maybe 110 million computers, 80 million TV sets and 350 million cell phones.

According to the EPA, obsolescence and trading up in consumer electronics generates up to 1.9 million tons of discarded electronics per year.

Sources: EPA, Forrester, Forbes.com and International Data Corporation

Additional Facts and Figures on E-Waste and Recycling The Electronics TakeBack Coalition compiled a summary of available statistics that quantify the problems of electronic waste and e-waste recycling efforts. Learn More