What is e-waste?

Electronic waste (also known as e-waste) is a term used to refer to the discarding of electronic goods.  Many electronic items end up in landfills, where they can have damaging effects on the environment.

In 2016, 44.7 million metric tons of e-waste were produced globally.  Of this, only 20% is documented as being properly recycled, and much of the remaining 80% is completely unaccounted for (Baldé, Forti, Gray, Kuehr, & Stegmann, 2017).  Asia generates more e-waste than any other region, accounting for 18.2 million metric tons in 2016.

Why is e-waste a problem?

E-waste causes a number of environmental issues, particularly in developing countries.  More than half of e-waste ends up filling landfill sites, where the toxic metals contaminate the environment.  In many developing countries, the waste is burned for scrap, and many workers are unaware of the dangers of toxic materials.  This means that workers are often not properly equipped with protective equipment, exposing them to dangerous pollutants.

Additionally, the informal e-waste recycling industry has a number of potential risks to residents living near recycling sites.  Pollutants from e-waste often contaminate the air and water supply, increasing the risk of a number of physical health issues, as well as mental illnesses and reduced cognitive ability (Song & Li, 2015).

How does this relate to conservation psychology?

Theories and models from conservation psychology can be used to understand why people behave in ways that damage our environment.  In terms of electronic waste, we can use these theories to gain an insight into attitudes towards the use and discarding of electronic items, so that we can find ways to encourage people to behave more sustainably.