Where Do Electronics Go When They Die? (Infographic)

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, consumer electronics – including TVs and other video equipment, computers, assorted peripherals, audio equipment, and cell phones – make up less than two percent of the municipal solid waste stream.

But this doesn’t mean the overall amount of e-waste getting buried in landfills or shipped to developing countries is negligible–the United Nations Environment program reports that the U.S. is the biggest producer of e-waste, discarding a shocking 3 million tons each year.

In 2010, it was estimated that a mere 15 to 20 percent of these electronic items (345,000 to 379,000 tons) are recycled annually.

The consumer electronics industry in the U.S. has come together with the aim of achieving a threefold increase in annual recycling. The target is to recycle one billion pounds of e-waste annually by 2016, three times that in 2010. One billion pounds of electronics would otherwise fill about 88.9 million cubic feet of landfill, equivalent to an entire 71,000-seat NFL stadium (The Green IT Review).

One of the easiest ways to get people to recycle their electronics properly is by educating them about what really happens after they ditch that desktop dinosaur for a shiny new iPhone or tablet.

In the infographic below, WellHome takes a look at e-waste, where it all ends up, and how we can dispose of it properly to minimize environmental damage.

Also Check Out:
Are Most Electronics Designed For The Dump?
Mac Users Get A New Way To Recycle Old Electronics
The Single Most Important Thing To Recycle

Graphic Created By WellHome Energy Audits

Top Image Credit: Flickr – takomabibelot

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sai K.

7:47AM PDT on Jul 14, 2011

what a great piece of information

send a green star

Abbe A.

2:39AM PDT on Jul 12, 2011

Thank you. I was just wondering what to do with some old electronics.

Marie C.

10:24AM PDT on Jun 22, 2011

In USA, there is a great network of e-cyclers which you can look for on http://earth911.com/ Try it!

KrassiAWAY B.

4:20AM PDT on Jun 21, 2011

Noted with thanks.

Faith P.

6:04PM PDT on Jun 11, 2011

thanks, it's hard to find places that are willing to recycle old electronics

Annemarie W.

11:18AM PDT on Jun 8, 2011

thanks! However... I need to recycle items like an old air bed pump, cords, and small battery run appliances. Where can I do this?! Message me if you know the answer please. I do NOT want these small items to end up in a land fill somewhere.

Wioletta S.

2:45AM PDT on Jun 7, 2011

thanks

Georgina B.

5:49PM PDT on Jun 4, 2011

This is such a great article, thanks. I've really never thought about this up until now, thanks again.

Mrs S.

12:38AM PDT on Jun 2, 2011

It wouldnt kill you to recycle stuff, people, or even donate them if they are still working.

Cassidy B.

2:25PM PDT on May 31, 2011

I've always wandered about this - thanks for the info! Love the visual too.