What is E-Waste?
- Definition
- Electronic waste (e-waste) refers to discarded electronic devices and equipment, including computers, monitors, phones, and peripherals that have reached end-of-life.
Electronic waste, or e-waste, encompasses any discarded electrical or electronic device. This includes everything from desktop computers and laptops to smartphones, printers, servers, networking equipment, and even cables and peripherals.
E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the world. According to the EPA, only about 25% of electronics are properly recycled in the United States. The rest ends up in landfills, where toxic materials like lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants can leach into soil and groundwater.
Proper e-waste recycling involves separating devices into component materials — metals, plastics, glass, and circuit boards — for recovery and reuse. Certified recyclers follow strict environmental and data security protocols to ensure nothing ends up where it shouldn't. In Texas, the TCEQ oversees electronic waste management and requires proper documentation of recycling activities.
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