Visualizing the Growing E-Waste Epidemic

Posted by Brian Clark Howard of National Geographic on March 14, 2012
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We’ve written before about the growing problem of e-waste (electronic waste), which threatens to pollute our soil and water with toxic materials (we even have a handy quiz about e-waste). Fortunately, electronics manufacturers, recyclers, and governments are increasingly taking notice, and are taking steps to reduce and mitigate the problems.

At the same time, the march of technology is accelerating faster than ever, as computers continue to fall in price and make their way into an ever growing range of products, from appliances to cars and much more. As more people around the world buy cell phones, the number of castoffs increases.

To responsibly recycle your used electronics, check out Earth911.com, or give the friendly folks at Server Monkey a call at 713.430.2182.

Check out this cool infographic on e-waste from Server Monkey:

The Growing E-Waste Epidemic [Infographic]
Infographic via: ServerMonkey.com, the Industry Leader for Refurbished Servers

 

Brian Clark Howard is a writer and editor with NationalGeographic.com. He was formerly an editor at The Daily Green and E/The Environmental Magazine and has contributed to many publications, including TheAtlantic.com, FastCompany.com, MailOnline.com, PopularMechanics.com, Yahoo!, MSN and elsewhere. His latest book, with Kevin Shea, is Build Your Own Small Wind Power System.

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  1. Shailesh Telang
    Pune
    August 27, 2012, 7:54 am

    In India, many tourist destination suffering from solid waste. The rate of waste generation in such places ruining aesthetic values of these regions. Government of India is now considering this serious issue. Most of the local residents are also turning serious about it. The local people now realized the ill effects of pollution which would one day threaten the very existence of the their place itself. In Nainital, a popular tourist destination in India, a petition was filed against the growing pollution in Naina lake. The same information is available here http://greencleanguide.com/2011/12/19/sustainable-tourism-a-case-study-of-nainitaluttarakhand/

    Thanks!

  2. Ask Umbra: Should I buy a refurbished laptop for college? | Grist
    July 23, 2012, 7:48 am

    [...] is this an eco-friendly choice? Yes. Electronics manufacturing and disposal is notoriously toxic. You will be doing your part to reduce, if ever so slightly, this heap of e-trouble, and you will [...]

  4. Is eWaste A Growing Problem | TechMASH Tech Gadget & Geeky News
    March 16, 2012, 9:24 am

    [...] Source [Newswatch National Geographic] [...]

  5. Vineet
    Nagpur, India
    March 16, 2012, 7:15 am

    Hi,
    E-waste has gradually climbed to the the top of the priority list for the waste management think-tanks around the world. With our affinity to the gadgets increasing by the day, the volume of electronic waste occupying our offices and residence have also been spiraling.

    Countries like China, India and Brazil which are emerging as the new economic blocks have virtually sidelined the menace of e-waste on our future generations – barring a few recycling agencies involved. We need a global e-waste management standards to be integrated into the manufacturing-to-disposal cycle.
    A recent snapshot of the Indian e-waste nightmare can be seen here:
    http://www.greenarth.com/blog/e-waste-stashing-the-right-way

    Thanks
    Vineet

  6. Misleading Pie Charts « Waterloo Data Science
    March 16, 2012, 12:39 am

    [...] about the increase in electronic waste, the National Geographic posted an infographic that was visually misleading. I reproduced a graph using the numbers from their [...]

  7. DaringData
    March 16, 2012, 12:21 am

    [...] about the increase in electronic waste, the National Geographic posted an infographic that was visually misleading. I took the numbers and reproduced a [...]

  8. The Technology Blog: Visualizing the Growing EWaste Problem in the United States Infographic
    March 15, 2012, 6:10 am

    [...] down how big the problem has become in not just the United States, but around the world.Source:http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2012/03/14/visualizing-the-growing-e-waste-epidemic/ Posted by Makin at [...]