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The Dark Side of Our Devices

Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing waste types on the planet. In 2022, 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced on Earth (approximately 7.8 kg per person), but only 22% of that e-waste was collected for recycling. If nothing changes, that total of e-waste could reach 82 million tonnes by 2030, causing the devices that support our lives to present as an increasing environmental and public health issue.


Image: The Global E-waste Monitor 2024

What makes e-waste dangerous lies within our devices: the toxic materials contained within our tablets, cell phones, and computers. Heavy metals (like lead, mercury, cadmium) and flame retardants, along with other persistent organic pollutants, are present in our technology. These materials release poisonous gases into the air and leach into the soil and water tables during burning and informal disassembly. When burnt, plastics can generate dioxins and other cancer-causing agents, just as exposure to these materials can lead to respiratory illness, thyroid disease, damage to our immune systems, and a variety of cancers. E-waste also contaminates agricultural land and water sources, which can jeopardize our food source beyond human health.

Manufacturers are making some strides, albeit those strides aren’t equitably distributed. However these few companies, including Apple, Samsung, and Dell, have developed take-back programs, built out recycling infrastructure, and added recycled metals into their new products.

The toxic legacy of e-waste demonstrates that this is an issue that needs more coordinated action from governments, corporations/companies, and individual consumers. Industry-led reform and regulation are needed, and we need to take personal responsibility for our own electronic waste generation and help reduce e-waste footprints.

As a college student, I know I cannot solve the e-waste problem alone, but I can help drive change. I can try extending the life of my devices, purchase refurbished products instead of new, and donate or properly recycle my devices. As students of a prestigious University such as UP, we can also hold collection drive days, create awareness campaigns, and advocate for sustainability policies in our schools. After graduation, these habits can also extend into my professional life, whether by advocating for eco-friendly practices or supporting green innovations. These may be small actions, but multiplied across millions can shift the trajectory of this growing crisis and turn waste into opportunity.

References:

Apple. (2025). Apple Reuse and Recycling Program. Apple. https://www.apple.com/reuse-recycle/

Bhardwaj, L. K., Rath, P., Jain, H., & Choudhury, M. (2025). Exploring the effects of e-waste on soil, water quality and human health. Deleted Journal, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-025-00167-2

The Global E-waste Monitor 2024. (2024). ITU. https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Environment/Pages/Publications/The-Global-E-waste-Monitor-2024.aspx

World Health Organization. (2024, October). Electronic waste (e-waste). Who.int; World Health Organization: WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/electronic-waste-%28e-waste%29

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