E-Waste Management: Are Companies Doing Enough to Address the E-Waste Problem?
By Mia Barnes, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind Magazine.
Have you ever upgraded your smartphone or laptop to the latest model for new features or improved camera quality? It’s possible your existing device performed perfectly, but your carrier offered an incentive you couldn’t refuse. The need for the most cutting-edge technology has resulted in a flood of electronic waste (e-waste) with profound implications for the environment and public health.
E-waste contains harmful materials and toxins that leach into fragile ecosystems. Discarding your electronics improperly risks worsening the pollution crisis. It depletes natural resources and causes devastating health problems, including endocrinological, reproductive and neurological issues.
You can help by curbing your desire for new devices, but companies must also address their contribution to e-waste — some organizations have been highly successful. The question is, are they doing enough through investments in greener technologies, manufacturing practices and product take-back programs?
The E-Waste Conundrum
E-waste is a growing issue worldwide. In 2022, 62 million metric tons of discarded electronics were generated globally, almost twice as much as in 2010. At this rate, experts predict the amount will reach an alarming 82 million metric tons by 2030.
The United States alone generated 7.6 million metric tons of e-waste in 2024. However, only 25 states and Washington, D.C., have implemented e-waste recycling, mainly due to insufficient federal policies. Additionally, while many states prohibit landfilling and incineration of consumer electronics, noncompliance is a problem.
E-waste management has become more complicated as the demand for new technology rises. This is in addition to shorter product life cycles and insufficient recycling and sortation facilities. Unfortunately, the outcome has had dire consequences for the environment.
Electronics that are improperly disposed of, taken apart or melted down emit toxic chemicals, creating significant air pollution. The heavy metals found in e-waste — such as lead, cadmium, lithium, mercury, barium and others — also pollute soil and water, which may then degrade crops and hinder agricultural productivity. Once these pollutants enter waterways, they can even contaminate the water you drink.
When E-Waste and Public Health Collide
People — especially pregnant women and children — are at high risk of health problems when exposed to undermanaged e-waste. According to one study, the toxic chemicals in devices and appliances predispose children to cardiovascular, respiratory, neurodevelopmental and haemological issues later on. In pregnant women, components like heavy metals, flame retardants, phthalates and parabens also affect fetus development and disrupt the endocrine system.
A compromised endocrine system may result in conditions like diabetes (which can be managed by pharmaceutical products like Ozempic) or Cushing’s syndrome (which may require surgery) —a result of long-term exposure to cortisol. Thyroid issues are also common.
For example, an underactive thyroid — hypothyroidism — can cause uncomfortable constipation, weight gain and skin dryness, while hyperthyroidism may induce frequent heart palpitations, tremors and bouts of irritability. About 70% of people with an overactive thyroid also develop Grave’s disease with symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, diarrhea and irregular menstruation.
Innovations in E-Waste Technologies
Companies have made excellent strides in mitigating e-waste recyclability and reusability, leaning into today’s most innovative technologies. Investments in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and building a more circular economy have helped them handle disposed electronics better while tying their efforts to their sustainability initiatives.
AI and Robotics
Businesses across all industries have begun leveraging AI developments to streamline operations — this is no different in e-waste recycling. Combining AI and robotic automation has played a vital role in e-waste management, improving how electronics get sorted and dismantled for recycling.
AI algorithms help identify the different components of e-waste. Robots then break down the devices with precision to avoid releasing damaging materials and toxic chemicals. Technological advancements compensate for labor shortages in processing and improve resource recovery.
Many companies are engineering equipment to upscale recycling infrastructure. For example, AMP Robotics uses deep learning and computer vision in its robots to identify and recover recyclable materials in e-waste. Its technology then categorizes each recovered component by color, size, shape and more. AMP claims its robots can separate 80 items per minute — twice the speed of human sorters. When multiple units are used together, AMP can separate 150 items in the same time frame.
Circular Economy
The e-waste problem can be addressed by striving for a circular economy. These initiatives motivate companies to design products for longer-lasting use and recyclability while encouraging consumers to dispose of them sustainably.
Part of a circular economy entails repairing and upgrading electronics to perform like new. It may also comprise a take-back program in which companies collect used devices when they are no longer needed or don’t work. These items can be refurbished for resale or their parts used for other purposes.
People generally have a positive perception of a circular economy. You might notice it more in retail, where eco-conscious consumers choose durable clothes they can wear for a long time instead of trendy items that go out of style quickly. With the right messaging, technology companies can also promote a more robust circular economy for recycling electronics.
Upcycling and Repurposing
The e-waste recycling and recovery sector is growing exponentially. Its market size in 2023 reached $5.92 billion, with a 5% compound annual growth rate from 2024 to 2030.
The heavy metals and other organic materials found in e-waste are highly valuable for progressing renewables and green technology. In 2022, e-waste metals were worth $91 billion — this included copper, iron and gold. Additional elements like neodymium, aluminum and platinum are commonly used in wind turbine batteries.
Companies with reusability initiatives significantly improve their e-waste footprint, protecting the environment and public health. Refurbishing end-of-life electronics reduces the need to manufacture more goods, providing a sustainable method of mitigating e-waste.
Companies Inspiring Proper E-Waste Management
Major corporations have amplified e-waste management through various closed-loop initiatives. These companies often inspire others to integrate circularity into their environmental and social responsibility. Here are three well-known businesses tackling e-waste.
1. IBM
Global technology company IBM has long spearheaded environmental stewardship. Over the years, IBM has enhanced its recycling programs to improve proper electronic disposal and reuse of recoverable materials. In 2021, about 97.7% of post-consumer products were recycled or resold, while 2% and 0.3% were sent to waste-energy plants or landfills, respectively.
Its operations have also undergone significant changes to reduce the waste generated during manufacturing. Maintaining a forward-thinking outlook on client preferences and needs helps shape how IBM conceptualizes products and resolves problems associated with e-waste.
2. Google
Google is another company committed to resolving the e-waste crisis with a circular economy. It does this by designing products for end-of-life circularity before they ever enter the production phase, emphasizing safe, healthy and reusable materials in all its goods.
The company’s internal approach to e-waste management is particularly impressive. Google operates 23 data centers and is aiming for net zero by reducing equipment and server waste and maximizing product reuse. Ultimately, it hopes to divert over 90% of sold waste from overflowing landfills.
Seven of its data centers have already achieved this feat as Google continuously invests in companywide recycling. Likewise, the company focuses on repairability for extended product life cycles and refurbishment to extract reusable parts.
3. HP
HP takes sustainability and e-waste reduction seriously. The company designs its products to decrease its environmental footprint for energy efficiency, durability and repairability. It has also utilized more renewable and recyclable materials in new developments.
A take-back program encourages customers to return their used electronics to HP once they’ve reached the end of their life span. HP then identifies reusable parts for future systems. This approach amplifies recycling messaging and drives more feasible e-waste management.
With these initiatives, HP is aiming for 75% circularity by 2030 and 30% post-consumer recycling of its personal and print technologies by 2025. In 2023, the company reused 34,400 metric tons of plastic from consumer e-waste.
Challenges and Considerations
Unique challenges make it especially difficult to establish an effective process for electronics disposal. For example, recycling infrastructure is lacking, giving businesses limited options for more sustainable waste diversion.
Simultaneously, extended producer responsibility laws hold manufacturers responsible for e-waste management, which is costly for organizations. Collaboration and industrywide regulations can make it easier for organizations to improve regulatory compliance everywhere.
As companies ramp up their sustainability initiatives, many have focused their efforts on a greener supply chain. This requires communication and coordination with vendors and recyclers to reduce e-waste. Despite potential complications, businesses shouldn’t overlook the importance of transparency and circularity from product conception to end of life.
Of course, public perception has tremendous impacts on successful e-waste recycling. You must be willing to modify your buying behaviors for more sustainable electronics usage — meaning you should avoid upgrading devices simply because you want a newer, shinier model. Companies are correspondingly integral to this messaging.
About 88% of consumers say companies should care for people and the planet, while 86% want them to use their money and popularity to raise awareness of important issues. Another 82% feel people and the planet must come before profit.
Upgraded advertisements should balance purchasing the latest device with the responsible disposal of older electronics. Providing educational materials about e-waste’s environmental impacts may also improve recycling rates. This display of environmental care demonstrates a company’s commitment to sustainability, boosts its reputation and builds brand loyalty.
Progress Made in E-Waste Management With Room to Grow
Although companies have considerably improved in addressing e-waste, the problem remains widespread and is growing. Those who have implemented advanced AI solutions, sortation technologies and preventive e-waste strategies should advocate for circularity across all industries.
Proper electronics disposal can’t depend solely on a handful of businesses to prevent environmental damage and threats to public health. Everyone must cooperate and stay committed to creating real change in the electronics market.
About the Author
Mia Barnes has been a freelance writer for over 4 years with expertise in healthy living and sustainability. Mia is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the online publication, Body+Mind Magazine.