Real-life Transformers: How humans and machines recycle electronic waste

E-waste or electronic waste is an often unknown by-product of electronics manufacturing. This post sheds some light on what is currently being done to curb e-waste and some of the hurdles faced going forward.

First let’s take a look at some sobering facts. Statistically speaking: you are probably reading this post from a computer, tablet, or smart device that may one day end up in a landfill:

  • roughly 75% of electronic waste is bound for a landfill.
  • Over the next decade, e-waste is expected to increase by 38%
  • 2019 Estimates are that $57 billion of precious metals and valuables in electronics were thrown away.

(source)

Given these remarkable statistics, there are ways to tackle the problem of e-waste. However, it is not without it’s hurdles. As this short documentary explains, e-waste recycling is a bit of a catch-22. Although e-waste recycling has great environmental benefits and can be highly profitable, it is dangerous, costly, and difficult to do. Electronics are not designed to be recycled easily so the process is very labor and resource intensive. Let’s take a look at the short film below to learn more:

If you’d like to learn more, please check out these articles on e-waste statistics here:
https://earth911.com/eco-tech/20-e-waste-facts/

https://unu.edu/media-relations/releases/global-e-waste-surging-up-21-in-5-years.html#info

What do you think about the current state of e-waste and e-waste recycling measures? Do you have an e-waste facility or program in your area. We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Have fun everyone 😃 !

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