Electronic devices contain toxic materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants. When these devices reach the end of their life, they become electronic waste (e-waste). The primary challenge arising from these hazardous components is ensuring their safe and environmentally sound disposal and recycling. Governments and international bodies have established stringent regulations, such as the European Union's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive and Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive, which mandate specific collection, recycling, and disposal procedures. Compliance with these complex and often costly rules presents a significant logistical, financial, and legal challenge for organizations.

A. Toxic materials are generally contained within the device's casing during normal operation and do not pose a direct safety risk to employees using the equipment.

B. The performance limits of electronic devices are determined by their technical specifications (e.g., processor speed, memory), not by the presence of toxic materials.

D. The presence of toxic materials significantly increases the cost and complexity of obtaining environmental certifications, as companies must prove compliance with substance restrictions.

1. United Nations University (UNU) & International Telecommunication Union (ITU). (2020). Global E-waste Monitor 2020: Quantities

flows

and the circular economy potential. Section 3.2

"E-waste and human health and the environment

" pp. 40-41. This report details the hazardous substances in e-waste and the environmental and health risks associated with improper disposal

which underpins the need for strict recycling and disposal regulations.

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) OpenCourseWare. (2016). 15.992: Global Business of Water

Energy

and Food. Lecture Notes

"Session 10: E-Waste." This course material discusses the global challenge of e-waste

highlighting the toxic components and the regulatory frameworks (like WEEE and RoHS) created to manage their disposal and recycling.

3. Perkins

D. N.

Drisse

M. N. B.

Nxumalo

K.

& de Souza

A. (2014). E-Waste: A Global Hazard. Annals of Global Health

80(4)

286–295. Section: "Legislation

" p. 290. This peer-reviewed article explicitly states

"The hazardous materials in e-waste have prompted the development of legislation at international

regional

and national levels to manage its movement

disposal

and recycling." (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aogh.2014.10.001)