Electronics recycling, refers to the responsible management and disposal of electronic devices at the end of their life cycle. As technology continues to evolve rapidly, the amount of electronic waste (e-waste) generated globally has been on the rise. Therefore, it is important that the strategies to promote sustainable management of electronic waste is adopted.

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E-waste poses a significant threat to the environment and human health if not managed properly.

Environmental impacts include:

Toxic substances: These devices contain hazardous substances such as mercury, cadmium, lead, brominated flame retardants, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These toxins can leach into soil and water, contaminating ecosystems and potentially entering the food chain.

Energy consumption: Due to the production and disposal of electronic devices significant amounts of energy is consumed, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

Resource depletion: Electronic devices require valuable resources to manufacture, including rare and precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum. When e-waste is not recycled, these resources are lost and more mining is required to meet demand, leading to further environmental degradation.

Electronics stewardship is important in handling waste reduction, resource recovery, pollution prevention and energy saving.

Recycling electronic waste allows for the recovery of valuable metals and other materials, reducing the need for raw material extraction and lessening the environmental impact of mining activities. This also consumes less energy than manufacturing new devices from raw materials, leading to reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Proper electronics stewardship prevents toxic substances from contaminating soil, water, and air, safeguarding human health and the environment. Electronics stewardship aims to reduce the volume of e-waste that ends up in landfills or incinerators. By recycling and reusing electronic components, valuable resources are conserved and pollution is minimized.