E-waste is the improper disposal of electronic devices, but most people do not know how to properly dispose of them. This is a massive issue, considering how much modern society depends on electronics.

Additionally, e-waste affects many low and middle income communities and countries, as they are responsible for recycling e-waste, despite the fact that it is a major health concern. Most e-waste contains or can produce toxic substances that are known to or at least suspected to harm humans. E-waste is not only detrimental to communities, but the environment as well, as it can be toxic, is not biodegradable, and accumulates in the soil, air, and water. According to the International Labor Organization, e-waste is the fastest growing solid waste stream in the world, increasing 3 times faster than the world’s population.

E-waste is a particularly large problem in the New York area due to the massive population, and yet its disposal system for e-waste is incredibly tedious. According to the Department of Sanitation, to properly recycle electronic devices, one must either get their landlord to enroll in the ecycleNYC program OR drop their devices off at an appropriate drop-off location. The first option is very difficult, if not impossible, especially for those who live in larger apartment complexes. As for the drop-off locations, they can be up to 3 miles from any given location, and also require one to take time out of their day just to go to a recycling center. The difficulty of recycling e-waste leads to many people just leaving their broken electronics out in the trash, which in turn affects communities and the environment.

A better system to dispose of e-waste would help both lower income communities, as well as the environment. Getting this petition signed could potentially help bring awareness to this issue, and maybe even get a solution.