03 Jul The Global Electronic Waste Crisis
Electronic waste is a health and environmental hazard, containing toxic additives or hazardous substances such as mercury, which damages the human brain and/or coordination system. Electronic waste can take up to 500 years or more to fully breakdown in a landfill.
The UN’s Global E-waste Monitor 2020, released today, shows that a record of 53.6 million metric tons (Mt) of electronic waste was generated worldwide in 2019, up 21% in five years. This report also shows that as of 2030 the amount of electronic waste will reach 74 Mt. These high numbers are due to higher consumption rates, shorter life cycles, and fewer options for repair of the electronic devices.
In 2019 globally only 17.4% of this e-waste was collected and recycled, in the United States, it shows that only 15% of e-waste was collected. According to the report, Asia generated the greatest volume of e-waste in 2019 (24.9 Mt) followed by the Americas (13.1 Mt) and Europe (12 Mt).
Everyone can do their part by finding local electronic waste recycling facilities, most have options for free pick up. Here are a few local to Salt Lake City, Utah.
MeTech Recycling
http://www.metechrecycling.com/
Recycle Solutions
Superior Recycling Solutions
https://superiorrecycling.webs.com/
Source Articles
https://itbrief.com.au/story/time-to-take-responsibility-e-waste-a-global-crisis
https://disruptiveenvironmentalist.com/how-long-does-your-garbage-take-to-decompose-or-break-down/
