Title: 20 Staggering E-Waste Facts in 2021 | Earth911
Headings: 20 Staggering E-Waste Facts in 2021
20 Staggering E-Waste Facts in 2021
By Earth911
E-Waste Explored
E-Waste Exposed
By Earth911

Content: Not all e-waste recyclers are the same. There are safer ways to recycle e-waste, and then there are companies that simply export the waste to developing countries. Rather than monitoring the recycling of e-waste for health and human safety standards in these developing countries, many businesses simply have residents disassemble the electronics for scrap metal, exposing the workers to toxic materials. Look for an e-waste recycling company that has been vetted through e-stewards.org. Plastics in e-waste can be recycled into garden furniture. Battery components can be reused in other batteries. Metals can be used in jewelry and automotive parts. It is estimated that 40% of the heavy metals in U.S. landfills come from discarded electronics, according to Jonas Allen, director of marketing for EPEAT, a global green electronic rating system. According to Allen, if the recycling rates for gold (15%), silver (15%), and platinum (5%) all increased to 100%, the electronics sector could realize $12 billion in financial and natural capital benefits. Americans throw out approximately 416,000 mobile phones each day, according to 2014 figures from the EPA.