Electronic waste
Electronic waste - Electrical or electronic equipment that is waste, including all components, sub-assemblies and consumables that are part of the equipment at the time the equipment becomes waste
ENTITY
3 - Other
INTENT
3 - Other
TIMING
3 - Other
Risk ID
mit988
Domain lineage
6. Socioeconomic and Environmental
6.6 > Environmental harm
Mitigation strategy
1. Prioritize upstream intervention via Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Sustainable Design mandates to fundamentally minimize waste generation. This entails compelling manufacturers to engineer products for maximum longevity, modularity, repairability, and resource circularity, alongside rigorous toxic constituent reduction throughout the material lifecycle. 2. Establish and scale comprehensive Reutilization and Refurbishment programs, which involve systematically collecting, repairing, and upgrading functional devices for resale or donation. This strategy actively extends the in-use lifespan of electronic assets, thereby deferring their entry into the waste stream and conserving the raw materials and embodied energy associated with new manufacturing. 3. Mandate the exclusive use of accredited third-party certified electronics recyclers (e.g., R2 or e-Stewards) for the secure and environmentally sound management of non-reusable equipment. This process must include stringent, documented protocols for data sanitization and physical destruction, as well as the meticulous separation and recovery of valuable materials, ensuring compliance with all hazardous waste disposal regulations.