Final signature count: 7,895

7,895 signatures toward our 30,000 goal

This year, each of us will throw out, recycle, or shove into a desk drawer an average of 16.8 pounds of old phones, laptops, toasters, and other electronics and appliances. UN data estimates we collectively toss out about 63.3 million tons of electronic waste worldwide¹.

Within these discarded electronics are toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, cadmium and beryllium, PVC plastic, and brominated flame retardants, which can harm human health and the environment². These rare earth elements are currently crucial components in high-tech electronics, but are hazardous to extract³.

After its use, only about 20 percent of e-waste is properly recycled to enable recovery of the valuable materials. Much of the rest is dumped in landfills where toxic chemicals can leach from the e-waste and end up contaminating the water supply².

In the Global South, children who pick out valuable metals from the trash are exposed to more than 1,000 toxic substances⁴.

Demands for more sustainable designs have never been more urgent, especially considering the global transition to more renewable forms of electricity and transportation will require metals like lithium and copper⁵.

If these materials cannot be sourced through recycling, they must be mined, which can lead to significant environmental damage⁶.

The easiest way to solve the e-waste crisis is to produce less e-waste. Opting to reduce, reuse, repair, or recycle electronics whenever possible can make a difference in the amount of e-waste that is put back into our environment every year. Sign the E-Waste Pledge and ensure a healthier future for all.