E-waste is the term for electronic equipment that no longer works or that you no longer want. That can include anything from smartphones and laptops to extension cords and remote controls. No matter the type, one thing is true about every kind of e-waste:
It is piling up fast.
In 2019 alone, the world generated 53 million metric tons of e-waste from discarded smartphones, laptops, tablets, and myriad other electronic devices, according to research from the United Nations. That number is expected to balloon to 74 million metric tons by 2030, almost doubling in just 16 years.
No entries found
Log in to Read the Full Article
Sign In
Sign in using your ACM Web Account username and password to access premium content if you are an ACM member, Communications subscriber or Digital Library subscriber.
Need Access?
Please select one of the options below for access to premium content and features.
Create a Web Account
If you are already an ACM member, Communications subscriber, or Digital Library subscriber, please set up a web account to access premium content on this site.
Join the ACM
Become a member to take full advantage of ACM's outstanding computing information resources, networking opportunities, and other benefits.
Subscribe to Communications of the ACM Magazine
Get full access to 50+ years of CACM content and receive the print version of the magazine monthly.
Purchase the Article
Non-members can purchase this article or a copy of the magazine in which it appears.
