Iron Facts

People who are not familiar with eWaste often need a few
numbers to help them realize the enormity of the problem.
Here are some facts taken the Griffith University's
web page on eWaste:

• Every year 20 to 50 million tonnes of E-Waste are generated worldwide.
• 4 million computers are discarded every year in China.
• In India, 14 million computers, 39 million telephones and 18 million televisions are projected to reach end of life by 2010.
• During 1997 and 2004, 315 million computers became obsolete in the USA. This resulted in the discard of 550 million kg of lead, 900,000 kg of cadmium, 180,000 kg of mercury and 500,000 kg of chromium VI. This also resulted in additional waste in the form of 1800 million kg of plastics, 159 million kg brominated flame-retardants from monitors.
• Disposal of E-Waste in landfills accounts for 40% of lead in landfills.
• 22% of annual world consumption of mercury is used in electronic devices.
• By 2005, one computer will become obsolete for every new one put on the market.