Electronic waste — commonly called e-waste — is the fastest-growing solid waste stream in the world. According to the Global E-Waste Monitor, the world generated approximately 62 million metric tons of e-waste in 2022, and that number grows by 2–3 million tons every year. Yet only about 22% of it is formally collected and recycled through certified channels.
For businesses in California, understanding e-waste is both an environmental responsibility and a legal obligation. This guide explains exactly what e-waste is, what makes it hazardous, and how to manage it responsibly.
"The world generates 62 million metric tons of e-waste per year — roughly the weight of 7,300 Eiffel Towers. Less than a quarter is formally recycled." — Global E-Waste Monitor 2024
What Is E-Waste?
E-waste refers to any electronic device or electrical component that has reached the end of its useful life or has been discarded by its owner. The term covers a wide range of products — from everyday consumer devices to large industrial equipment.
Common examples of e-waste include:
- Computing devices: Desktop computers, laptops, tablets, servers, and Chromebooks
- Mobile devices: Smartphones, feature phones, and portable media players
- Displays: LCD monitors, televisions, and digital signage
- Printers and peripherals: Printers, copiers, scanners, keyboards, and mice
- Networking equipment: Routers, switches, modems, and networking hubs
- Storage devices: Hard drives, solid-state drives, and data tapes
- Audio/video equipment: Projectors, cameras, speakers, and amplifiers
- Industrial electronics: Controllers, test equipment, and transformers
In California, certain devices — called "covered electronic devices" (CEDs) — are specifically regulated under the California Electronic Waste Recycling Act. These include CRT monitors, flat-panel displays, and televisions. However, responsible recycling programs like ZS Recycling accept a much broader range of electronics beyond the legal minimum.
Why Is E-Waste Hazardous?
Modern electronics are marvels of engineering — but they contain a complex mixture of materials, many of which are toxic. When electronics end up in landfills or are burned in open pits (as happens in informal recycling operations in developing countries), these substances are released into the environment.
Hazardous materials commonly found in e-waste:
- Lead: Found in solder joints on circuit boards and older CRT displays. Lead exposure damages the nervous system, kidneys, and reproductive system.
- Mercury: Used in fluorescent backlights in older LCD monitors and in switches. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that bioaccumulates in food chains.
- Cadmium: Present in rechargeable batteries and some circuit board components. Cadmium causes kidney damage and is a confirmed human carcinogen.
- Arsenic: Used in some older semiconductor components. Long-term arsenic exposure is linked to multiple cancers.
- Brominated flame retardants (BFRs): Added to plastics in computers and televisions to reduce fire risk. When burned, BFRs release dioxins and furans — some of the most toxic compounds known.
- Hexavalent chromium: Used as a corrosion inhibitor in some metal coatings. It's a carcinogen and environmental pollutant.
Beyond the hazards, e-waste also contains valuable recoverable materials. A single metric ton of circuit boards contains 40–800 times more gold than a metric ton of mined ore. Copper, silver, palladium, and rare earth elements can all be recovered and reused — reducing the need for new mining.
E-Waste and California Law
California has some of the strictest e-waste regulations in the United States. The Electronic Waste Recycling Act (SB 20/SB 50) establishes a system where consumers pay a small recycling fee when purchasing covered electronic devices — televisions and displays with screens 4 inches or larger. This fee funds free take-back recycling for those devices.
Additionally, California's Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) regulates how businesses handle hazardous electronic waste. Businesses that generate e-waste may be classified as hazardous waste generators and must comply with manifest, storage, and disposal requirements.
Working with a DTSC-certified e-waste recycler like ZS Recycling ensures your organization is fully compliant. We provide certificates of recycling for qualifying loads so you have documentation of proper disposal.
How to Recycle E-Waste Responsibly
Not all recyclers are equal. "Recycling" done irresponsibly — exporting e-waste to countries with lax environmental protections, or simply landfilling devices — creates the very harms that proper recycling is meant to prevent.
When selecting an e-waste recycler, look for:
- Certification by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (CA DTSC)
- Registration with CalRecycle
- ISO 14001 certification (environmental management systems)
- ISO 9001 certification (quality management)
- Downstream accountability — ask who processes the materials after collection
- Documentation — Certificates of Recycling provided upon request
ZS Recycling holds all of these certifications and offers free pickup for qualifying business and government loads across Southern California — including Upland, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino, Riverside, and the greater Los Angeles area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is e-waste?
E-waste (electronic waste) is any discarded electronic device or component — including computers, smartphones, televisions, printers, and circuit boards. It is the fastest-growing category of solid waste in the world.
Why is e-waste dangerous?
Electronic devices contain hazardous materials including lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, and brominated flame retardants. When improperly disposed of in landfills, these toxins can leach into soil and groundwater, posing serious environmental and health risks.
What happens to e-waste when it is recycled?
When e-waste is recycled responsibly, devices are sorted and dismantled. Hazardous materials are contained and safely processed. Valuable metals such as gold, silver, copper, and rare earth elements are recovered and returned to the manufacturing supply chain.
Is e-waste recycling free?
For qualifying loads — particularly from businesses and organizations with larger volumes of electronics — ZS Recycling offers free pickup in Southern California. Individual consumers can also drop off many devices for free under California's Electronic Waste Recycling Act.