Title: Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Recycling & Disposal - Facts & Statistics
Headings: Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Recycling and Disposal – Facts, Statistics & Solutions
Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Recycling and Disposal – Facts, Statistics & Solutions
Where Does Our E-Waste Go?
How to Recycle Your E-Waste Safely
Final Word

Content: Even with the best intentions in mind, recycling e-waste often leads to illegal overseas shipping and dumping. Devices get left in a huge pit or burned. Worse, a 2008 study from the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that some recyclers ship e-waste to third world countries under the guise of philanthropy, claiming that these “donations” bring technology to developing nations. While plenty of recyclers run reputable operations, the shadowy companies just ship obsolete e-waste to digital dumping grounds in countries like Ghana. Frontline profiled an e-waste dump in Ghana that explored the health risks of these practices. Young children there make a living by scavenging waste to reclaim gold, silver, iron, and copper. The amount of time they spend at dumping grounds is dangerous enough; factor in these poisons and chemicals and these habits can become be fatal. Further, the U.S. State Department lists Ghana as one of the top sources of cyber crime in the world. Criminals can purchase salvaged hard drives in an open market, and minutes later they have access to the personal and financial information you left behind in discarded devices.