The Growing Problem of e-Waste
Pennsylvania, the fourth-largest generator of e-waste in the United States, generates an estimated 53,000 tons of e-waste each year. Pennsylvania also has a low recycling rate, with only 15% of the e-waste collected being recycled.
Electronic waste, or e-waste, is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world, and it is also the largest problem facing the planet. E-waste contains toxic materials that can harm human health and the environment, and the improper disposal of electronic devices contributes to significant pollution and environmental damage.
E-waste contains hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and brominated flame retardants, which can cause serious health problems. Exposure to these toxins can lead to neurological disorders, reproductive issues, developmental delays, and even cancer. These materials can also leach into soil and water, polluting the environment and causing harm to wildlife and humans alike. Furthermore, e-waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions when it is incinerated or decomposes in landfills.
According to a report by the Global E-waste Statistics Partnership, the world generated 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste in 2019, and this figure is expected to grow to 74.7 million metric tons by 2030. The United States alone generated 6.9 million metric tons of e-waste in 2019, making it the second-largest e-waste generator in the world after China.
Pennsylvania, the fourth-largest generator of e-waste in the United States, generates an estimated 53,000 tons of e-waste each year. Pennsylvania also has a low recycling rate, with only 15% of the e-waste collected being recycled. Philadelphia, the largest city in Pennsylvania, generated over 8 million pounds of e-waste in 2020. According to the city's Office of Sustainability, only 3% of this waste was collected for recycling, and the rest was either discarded or sent to landfills. This low recycling rate is a concern, given that Philadelphia aims to become a zero-waste city by 2035. Pittsburgh, the second-largest city in Pennsylvania, generated over 2 million pounds of e-waste in 2020.
To address the e-waste problem, electronic recycling companies like Pennsylvania’s eLoop (with locations in Pittsburgh and State College) are helping keep electronic materials out of our landfills. In 2022, eLoop saved nearly 20 million pounds of CO2, while recycling more than 2 million pounds of materials. One of the ways that eLoop achieves this is by refurbishing and reselling electronics that are still functional. This helps to extend the life of these devices, reduce the demand for new electronics, and keep them out of landfills. eLoop also ensures that any e-waste that cannot be refurbished or resold is recycled responsibly. They work with certified recycling partners who use environmentally sustainable methods to break down electronic devices into their component parts and recover valuable materials, such as copper, gold, and silver. eLoop also provides the companies it services with carbon credit documentation showing the impact the companies are having on reducing their carbon footprint for ESG purposes.
To see how eLoop can help you and your company make a positive impact on the growing problem of e-waste, contact an eLoop specialist.
