What is E-Waste?
Electronic waste, or e-waste, is a term for electronic products that have become unwanted, non-working or obsolete, and have essentially reached the end of their useful life. Because technology advances at such a high rate, many electronic devices become “trash” after a few short years of use.
More than 140,000 tonnes of e-waste accumulates in Canadian landfills each year. |
"Recycling" and "Donating" Programs:
Although there are many "recycling" and "donating" programs for electronics, most of them take them to electronic dumping grounds in places such as West Africa or China. Once there, the electronics are taken apart in order to harvest the usable components and then they are either used their or shipped to plant where they are put into other electronics. This creates a shadow industry where nothing is regiulated and people are constantly putting their lives at risk.
Below is an info graphic on American e-waste habits and the e-waste's journey to the dump:
Below is an info graphic on American e-waste habits and the e-waste's journey to the dump: