Old phones in your junk drawer. Dead laptops in a closet. Broken TVs stacked in the garage. Multiply that by millions of households and businesses, and you’ll start to see why e-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the United States, and one of the least properly managed.
How Much E-Waste Does the U.S. Generate?
According to the Global E-Waste Monitor, the U.S. generates more than 6.9 million tons of electronic waste each year. That’s roughly 46 pounds per person, and only about 15–20% of it is properly recycled.
The rest? It ends up in landfills, incinerators, or shipped overseas where it’s often processed under unsafe and unregulated conditions.
Why Is E-Waste So Dangerous?
E-waste is not like other trash. Electronics contain toxic materials such as:
- Lead
- Mercury
- Cadmium
- Flame retardants
When dumped in landfills or burned, these chemicals can leach into soil, water, and air, posing long-term health and environmental hazards. Meanwhile, we’re also losing valuable recoverable materials like copper, aluminum, gold, and rare earth metals.
Why Aren’t Americans Recycling More?
Several barriers contribute to low e-waste recycling rates:
- Lack of awareness about how or where to recycle
- Inconvenient drop-off options
- Misconceptions about data security
- Greenwashing by unregulated recyclers
That’s why public education, local events, and transparent recycling partners are more important than ever.
What Needs to Change?
To tackle the e-waste crisis in America, we need:
- Stronger national legislation requiring responsible recycling
- More certified recyclers to ensure secure, sustainable processing
- Corporate buy-in to implement ITAD programs and ESG-driven tech policies
- Consumer engagement through easy, accessible collection programs
How EAS Is Making a Difference in Iowa
At Electronic Asset Security (EAS), we’re working to change the story, starting here at home. We provide:
- Free and low-cost electronics recycling events across Iowa
- R2v3-certified recycling and NIST 800-88 compliant data destruction
- Transparent, documented processes for businesses and individuals
- Community education to drive better recycling habits
Your Old Devices Deserve Better
E-waste may be a national problem, but solutions start locally. When you recycle with EAS, you help keep toxic materials out of landfills, protect your personal data, and support a cleaner, smarter future for all.
Learn more about our services or find an upcoming recycling event at electronicassetsecurity.com.