E-waste is electronic and electrical trash that has increased with consumption of devices. Around 40 million metric tons are produced yearly, with only 13% recycled in developing countries. These countries receive 70% of e-waste from more developed areas, as recycling valuable materials like copper and gold is profitable. However, primitive recycling methods, like burning cables, expose workers to hazardous substances that accumulate in the environment and food chain, risking health problems especially for children.

1. Recycling E-
Waste
By Nathan
Seskin

2. What is e-waste?
• E-waste is electronic and
electrical trash, which has
become more prevalent
with the rapid growth in
the consumption of
electronic devices.!
• According to the
Population Reference
Bureau (PRB), roughly 40
million metric tons of e-
waste is produced each
year around the world, 13
percent of which is
recycled in developing
countries.

3. E-waste in
developing
countries
• Developing countries with
rapidly-growing economies
frequently handle e-waste
from more developed
countries.!
• 70 percent of e-waste
handled in India comes from
other countries.!
• Recycling valuable
materials from e-waste,
such as copper and gold,
has become a profitable
industry for many people in
these countries.

4. The problem
• The recycling methods for acquiring valuable
materials from e-waste are extremely primitive,
such as burning cables for copper and/or gold.!
• Those who recycle e-waste are often exposed to a
wide array of hazardous substances.

5. The implications of
recycling e-waste
• Hazardous materials
accumulate in soil,
water and food.!
• While burning wire
to get out copper,
people can inhale
toxic fumes. !
• Children are
particularly at risk to
these health
problems, which can
cause irreversible
damages to their
developing central
nervous, immune,
reproductive and
digestive systems.