Electronic Waste (E-Waste) Recycling and Disposal – Facts, Statistics & Solutions

How often do you buy a new cell phone, laptop or TV? If you’re like most people in the United States, you probably upgrade your electronics fairly often.

The problem is that most people don’t think twice about buying the “latest and greatest” technology. After all, companies and their marketing teams spend a great deal of money to ensure that we’re hungry for the next iPad 2, Xbox 360 Kinect, or LED TV.

E-Waste Facts & Statistics

Our hunger for electronics and technology only keeps growing. So what happens to our old stuff? Below are some interesting statistics:

• According to Wirefly.org, the average cell phone user replaces his cell phone every 18 months.
• The EPA reports that over 112,000 computers are discarded every single day. That’s 41.1 million desktops and laptop computers per year. And that’s just here in the U.S. not including computer monitors.
• 20 million TVs are trashed in the U.S. every year.
• We toss over 100 million cell phones in the trash every year. Again, just here in the U.S.
• Only 13% of electronic waste is disposed and recycled properly.

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By Heather Levin