1. Monitors and televisions with cathode ray tubes (CRTs) contain 2-4kg (4-8lbs) of lead on average.
2. E-waste is the largest source of lead in solid waste.
3. Circuit boards in computers and other electronics contain toxic materials like chromium, nickel, and zinc.
4. Switches and liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may contain mercury.
5. Batteries may contain nickel and cadmium.
6. It is estimated that 70% of heavy metals in landfills comes from e-waste.
7. E-waste represents about 2% of the total mass in landfills.
8. An imploded cathode ray tube is very difficult and expensive to recycle.
9. E-waste may contain carcinogenic substances including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
10. E-waste is often exported (sometimes illegally) to developing countries including China, Malaysia, India, Kenya, and other African countries. More lenient environmental regulations make it more profitable to process e-waste in these countries.
11. About 80% (this figure is disputed) of the e-waste sent for recycling in the U.S. is actually packed on container ships and sent to countries such as China.
12. Poor controls over e-waste recycling methods can cause groundwater contamination, air pollution, water pollution, and health effects in those directly involved.
13. Greenpeace contends that residue from e-waste is so dangerous that the export of used electronics should be banned.
14. Less than 20% of e-waste is recycled in the United States.
15. E-waste can also contain valuable substances suitable for reclamation including copper and gold.
16. Guiyu in China is the largest e-waste site on earth with an estimated 150,000 e-waste workers. The average workday is 16 hours and the workers make about $1.50 per day by recovering valuable metals and parts from the waste.
2. E-waste is the largest source of lead in solid waste.
3. Circuit boards in computers and other electronics contain toxic materials like chromium, nickel, and zinc.
4. Switches and liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may contain mercury.
5. Batteries may contain nickel and cadmium.
6. It is estimated that 70% of heavy metals in landfills comes from e-waste.
7. E-waste represents about 2% of the total mass in landfills.
8. An imploded cathode ray tube is very difficult and expensive to recycle.
9. E-waste may contain carcinogenic substances including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
10. E-waste is often exported (sometimes illegally) to developing countries including China, Malaysia, India, Kenya, and other African countries. More lenient environmental regulations make it more profitable to process e-waste in these countries.
11. About 80% (this figure is disputed) of the e-waste sent for recycling in the U.S. is actually packed on container ships and sent to countries such as China.
12. Poor controls over e-waste recycling methods can cause groundwater contamination, air pollution, water pollution, and health effects in those directly involved.
13. Greenpeace contends that residue from e-waste is so dangerous that the export of used electronics should be banned.
14. Less than 20% of e-waste is recycled in the United States.
15. E-waste can also contain valuable substances suitable for reclamation including copper and gold.
16. Guiyu in China is the largest e-waste site on earth with an estimated 150,000 e-waste workers. The average workday is 16 hours and the workers make about $1.50 per day by recovering valuable metals and parts from the waste.
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