Recycling: Facts and Figures

A recent study by the U.S. EPA shows that electronics make up approximately 1 percent of the municipal solid waste stream.

More than 3.2 million tons of electronic waste is laid to rest in U.S. landfills each year

— Environmental Protection Agency

The average lifespan for a common PC manufactured in 2005 is estimated to be two years

— National Safety Council

Every month approximately 100,000 pounds of CDs become outdated, useless, or unwanted.

— Environmental Protection Agency

Every year, 20 to 50 million metric tons of electronic equipment waste (e-waste) are generated worldwide, which could bring serious risks to human health and the environment. Four million computers are discarded annually in China alone.

— United Nations Environmental Program

Electronics are the fastest-growing portion of America's trash - with 250 million computers destined to become obsolete by 2005. More than 3.2 million tons of electronic waste is buried in U.S. landfills each year. The average cathode ray tube inside a PC monitor contains about five pounds of lead oxide powder embedded in the glass. An average sized populated state has an estimated 4.2 million computers in homes and workplaces. That is equivalent to 315,000 tons of solid waste and 26,000 tons of toxic lead.

— Pollution Prevention Assistance Division State of Georgia DNR

Between 1997 and 2007, nearly 500 million computers will become obsolete - almost two computers for each person in the United States... Televisions and video and computer monitors use cathode ray tubes (CRTs), which have significant amounts of lead. Printed circuit boards contain primarily plastic and copper, and most have small amounts of chromium, lead solder, nickel, and zinc. In addition, many electronic products have batteries that often contain nickel, cadmium, and other heavy metals.

— National Recycling Coalition