The evolution of consumer electronic waste in the United States

TLDR

Technological innovation has reshaped electronics’ role in society, but rapid adoption and obsolescence raise concerns about resource consumption and waste, and prior research has been limited by data that fail to capture emerging product trends. This study dynamically analyzes U.S. electronic waste using material flow analysis and detailed product sales and composition data. The authors employ material flow analysis combined with highly resolved electronic product sales and material composition data to track e‑waste streams. Contrary to expectations, total e‑waste mass has declined 10% since 2015, driven by phase‑out of legacy products, while the evolving material profile reduces lead/mercury hazards but heightens risks from scarce metals and design constraints, suggesting that mass‑based extended producer responsibility targets may become less effective.

Abstract

Technological innovation has transformed the role of electronics in education, work, and society. However, rapid adoption and obsolescence of consumer electronics has also led to new concerns about resource consumption and waste management. Past research to address these sustainability challenges has been constrained by data that do not reflect nascent trends in product evolution and consumer adoption, thereby limiting the ability to create and assess proactive solutions. This study presents a dynamic analysis of electronic waste (e-waste) in the United States using material flow analysis and highly resolved electronic product sales and material composition data. Findings contradict expectations that e-waste is growing with mobile device proliferation, instead showing that the total mass of the e-waste stream is actually declining (10% decrease since the estimated peak in 2015) with phase-out of large, legacy products like cathode ray tube TVs. The evolving material profile of consumer electronics being purchased and disposed sees reduced risks of e-waste toxicity from hazards like lead and mercury, but greater risks from reliance on scarce metals and product designs that limit recycling. This study highlights concerns that extended producer responsibility regulations currently implemented in many U.S. states for e-waste management may become less effective if they continue to rely only on mass-based collection targets. This article met the requirements for a gold-gold JIE data openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges.