Technology is advancing faster than ever. With new devices coming out every year, old electronics often end up in the trash, creating a growing problem known as electronic waste, or. But not all of it has to go to a landfill. In this guide, we’ll break down what e-waste is, what can be recycled, what can’t, and how you can reduce its impact — whether you’re clearing out a junk drawer at home or retiring equipment across an entire organization.
The Scale of the Problem
E-waste is now the fastest-growing waste stream in the world. According to the UN’s 2024 Global E-waste Monitor, the world generated 62 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022 — up 82% since 2010 — and that figure is on track to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030. Despite that growth, only 22.3% of e-waste generated in 2022 was documented as properly collected and recycled. That gap represents roughly $91 billion in recoverable metals and materials going unrecovered every year.
That gap is exactly why choosing a certified recycling partner matters, whether you’re a household managing a handful of old devices or a business decommissioning an entire office or data center.
What Is E-Waste?
E-waste includes any electronic item that’s no longer useful or working. These can be big or small devices, such as:
- Smartphones and tablets
- Laptops and desktop computers
- TVs and monitors
- Printers and scanners
- Kitchen appliances (like microwaves and toasters)
- Cables and chargers
- Batteries
- Circuit boards
- Servers, networking equipment, and other enterprise IT hardware
As technology evolves, we’re replacing electronics more frequently. Even devices that still work often get pushed out by newer models, which is a big part of why the pile of global e-waste keeps growing faster than recycling can keep up.
Why Recycling E-Waste Matters
Recycling e-waste matters for several reasons:
- Protects the environment. Many electronics contain toxic materials like lead and mercury. Handled improperly, these can pollute soil and water.
- Saves resources. Electronics are full of valuable materials such as gold, silver, and copper. Recycling helps recover these instead of mining for new ones.
- Uses less energy. Recycling materials takes less energy than producing them from scratch.
- Follows the law. Many countries and states have regulations governing how e-waste should be handled. Recycling properly helps you stay compliant — and for businesses, it’s often part of a broader ITAD and data security requirement, not just an environmental one.
What E-Waste Can Be Recycled?
A large portion of e-waste can be recycled. Here’s what typically can go to a recycling center:
1. Phones and Tablets
These small devices contain valuable metals, plastics, and glass. Even the batteries and screens can be reused.
2. Laptops and Computers
Computers are made with recyclable parts such as hard drives, processors, and metal frames. Gold and copper are often recovered from these devices.
3. TVs and Monitors
Modern flat-screen TVs and computer monitors are recyclable. Older CRT models are harder to process, but specialized centers can handle them.
4. Printers and Scanners
These contain plastic, metal, and circuit boards. Ink and toner cartridges are also recyclable, and many brands offer return programs.
5. Cables and Chargers
Wires and cords contain copper, which is valuable and easy to recycle. The outer plastic coating can also be reused.
6. Batteries
Rechargeable batteries (like lithium-ion) can be recycled to recover metals. Just be sure to take them to a proper drop-off location.
7. Household Appliances
Larger appliances like refrigerators and ovens contain metals and sometimes refrigerants that need to be removed safely before recycling.
8. Circuit Boards and Components
These small but complex parts contain precious metals. Specialized recyclers can extract gold, silver, and copper from them.
9. Servers and Enterprise Hardware
Retired servers, storage arrays, and networking equipment are recyclable too — but because they often still hold sensitive business data, they need certified data destruction before recycling, not just standard consumer e-waste handling.
What Can’t Be Recycled?
Not every piece of e-waste is recyclable. Some items are too dangerous, too complex, or too outdated:
1. Very Old or Rare Devices
Some older electronics can’t be recycled because parts or recovery methods are no longer available.
2. Non-Rechargeable Batteries
Single-use batteries often have low material value and can be difficult to recycle economically.
3. Certain Plastics
Some plastics in electronics can’t be recycled due to mixed composition or unknown origin.
4. Hazardous Materials
Very old electronics might contain asbestos or other banned materials, which aren’t safe to process through standard recycling.
5. Contaminated Devices
Electronics exposed to chemicals or biological contamination may not be accepted by recyclers.
Challenges in E-Waste Recycling
Recycling electronics isn’t as simple as it sounds:
- Complex design — Many devices are built compact and difficult to take apart.
- Toxic components — Handling hazardous substances requires strict safety measures.
- High costs — Sometimes recycling costs more than the recovered materials are worth.
- Lack of facilities — Not every region has access to proper, certified recycling centers.
- Unsafe practices — In parts of the world, e-waste is still handled by informal workers without safety gear, harming both people and the environment. This is part of why regulated, certified recyclers matter — the Global E-waste Monitor found that countries without e-waste regulation see close to a 0% documented recycling rate.
What You Can Do
You have a real role to play in cutting down e-waste:
- Keep electronics longer. Don’t replace devices unless you have to — repair them when possible.
- Donate or resell. If a device still works, give it a second life with someone else, or through a certified asset recovery program if it’s business equipment.
- Use take-back programs. Many brands accept old electronics for recycling.
- Choose certified recyclers. Look for recyclers certified by programs like R2v3 or e-Stewards — DES Technologies is R2v3 certified, for example.
- Recycle batteries properly. Never toss them in the trash — use a local battery drop-off point.
- Buy smart. Avoid unnecessary tech purchases and look for eco-friendly products.
What’s Next for E-Waste Recycling?
The future of e-waste recycling is looking brighter, even against a growing waste stream:
- Greener product design — Manufacturers are increasingly designing gadgets with easier recycling in mind.
- Better recycling technology — New tools and machines make recycling safer and more efficient.
- Stronger regulations — More countries are introducing stricter e-waste laws; 81 countries had e-waste legislation as of 2023, up from 78 in 2019.
- More awareness — As more people learn about e-waste, habits are starting to shift.
For Businesses: E-Waste and Data Security Go Together
If your e-waste includes retired business technology — servers, laptops, drives, networking equipment — recycling isn’t just an environmental decision, it’s a data security one. Any device that touched company data needs proper sanitization or destruction before it’s recycled, following current NIST 800-88 guidance, with documented chain of custody from pickup through final disposition. That’s the gap consumer-focused e-waste drop-off programs typically don’t cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is all e-waste recyclable?
No. Most common e-waste — phones, computers, monitors, cables, and batteries — is recyclable, but some items, like very old or rare devices, non-rechargeable batteries, certain mixed plastics, and hazardous or contaminated materials, aren’t accepted by most recyclers.
Why is the global e-waste recycling rate so low?
Only 22.3% of the 62 million tonnes of e-waste generated globally in 2022 was documented as properly collected and recycled. E-waste generation is growing about five times faster than documented recycling, driven by frequent device upgrades and inconsistent regulation across regions.
Do I need to wipe my data before recycling old devices?
Yes, especially for laptops, phones, and any business equipment. Deleting files or resetting a device doesn’t always fully remove recoverable data. For business equipment, certified data destruction aligned with NIST 800-88 is the standard to look for.
What does “R2v3 certified” mean for a recycler?
R2v3 (Responsible Recycling) is one of the leading industry certifications for electronics recyclers, requiring documented chain of custody, data security protocols, downstream vendor accountability, and commitments against sending materials to landfill.
Can businesses recycle IT equipment the same way as household electronics?
Not quite. Business IT equipment often contains sensitive data and needs certified data destruction before recycling, along with documentation like a Certificate of Destruction for compliance purposes — something standard consumer e-waste drop-off programs don’t provide.
Final Thoughts
E-waste is a growing global issue, but with the right knowledge and action, we can all make a difference. A lot of electronic waste can be recycled and reused, though some items still pose real challenges. By learning what can be recycled and disposing of electronics responsibly, we help protect the planet — and close some of that gap between the 62 million tonnes generated and the roughly 22% properly recycled.
The best solution to e-waste is still to create less of it in the first place: use your devices longer, buy only what you need, and always recycle through a certified channel when you can. If your organization is retiring IT equipment, DES Technologies can help you handle both the data security and the responsible recycling side of that process together.
