£13.7M worth of e-waste generated by 3G switch-off
Summary
While 146 kilograms can be retrieved from these old phones, its huge market price means it could be worth an enormous £10,397,184. Mark Hall, waste management expert at Business Waste, comments: “The decision to switch off 3G and 2G networks will inevitably lead to a huge amount of e-waste and leave a big impact on our environment. E-waste is the world’s fastest-growing solid waste stream with more than 50 million tonnes generated globally each year. “However, the good news is that with the majority of materials in our devices recyclable, you can look to reduce your carbon footprint. “E-waste that ends up in landfills can cause damage to our soil, ecosystems, and even human populations as hazardous substances leak out and contaminate the environment.