The International E-Waste Industry

  • Image may contain Human Person Urban Pollution Transportation Vehicle Truck and Building
    Kai Löffelbein
    01
    Tires burn in the background as a boy at the world's largest e-dump in Ghana repeatedly smashes a TV into the ground to break it open.
  • Image may contain Soil Ground Trash Clothing Footwear Apparel and Shoe
    Kai Löffelbein
    02
    Discarded electronic items litter the ground in Accra.
  • Image may contain Human and Person
    Kai Löffelbein
    03
    Discarded televisions from Europe arrive at the Agbogbloshie dump in Accra, Ghana.
  • Image may contain Human and Person
    Kai Löffelbein
    04
    Women melt circuit boards in Guiyu, China.
  • Image may contain Electronic Chip Electronics Hardware Cpu Computer Hardware and Computer
    Kai Löffelbein
    05
    A circuit board in Guiyu, China after it's been melted to extract its valuable elements.
  • Image may contain Human Person Wood Clothing Apparel Transportation Vehicle Truck Plywood Wheel and Machine
    Kai Löffelbein
    06
    Workers delivering discarded DVD players to a recycling workshop in Guiyu.
  • Image may contain Human Person Shipping Container Water and Machine
    Kai Löffelbein
    07
    Much of the e-waste comes to Guiyu via Shantou Harbor, the closest port.
  • Image may contain Human Person Vehicle Transportation Truck Nature Urban and Outdoors
    Kai Löffelbein
    08
    China has attempted to crack down on e-waste importing, with mixed success.
  • Image may contain Human Person Banister Handrail Building Animal and Bird
    Kai Löffelbein
    09
    Workers repairing old TV screens in the Seelampur area of New Delhi, India.
  • Image may contain Human Person Wood Clothing Apparel Transportation Vehicle Truck Plywood Wheel and Machine
    Kai Löffelbein
    10
    Women take devices apart in a warehouse in Guiyu.
  • Image may contain Pollution Art and Painting
    Kai Löffelbein
    11
    A lot of e-waste ends up in landfills, like this one outside of New Delhi.
  • Image may contain Brick Banister Handrail Urban Gate and Building
    Kai Löffelbein
    12
    A storage bin filled with hard drives in Guiyu.
  • Image may contain Wood Lumber and Plywood
    Kai Löffelbein
    13
    A tower of keyboards sits in Seelampur, New Delhi.
  • Image may contain Human Person Urban and Building
    Kai Löffelbein
    14
    Man standing on pile of printed circuit boards in New Delhi.
Read More
I Tested the Best Kitchen Composters and Food Recyclers—and Yes, Some of Them Stink
After years of smells, strange noises, and “tea,” these are the composters and food recyclers I’d actually recommend.
Kat Merck
I Tried 10 of the Most Popular Indoor Gardening Systems
Grow a backyard’s worth of greens and vegetables in your house with a vertical hydroponic garden. Here are a few that might be worth the investment.
Kat Merck
ABT Promo Codes, Discounts, and Savings for September 2026
Learn how to maximize your savings on major appliances, electronics, and mattresses using verified ABT discount codes, rebates, and special coupons and save up to $1,200 this summer.
Louryn Strampe
Western Digital Promo Code September 2026
Get 15% off your first order at Western Digital when you register your email.
Molly Higgins
The Best 3-in-1 Apple Wireless Chargers for Charging All Your Devices
I tried all the top models to find the best 3-in-1 Apple charging stations, pads, and more. Keep your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods topped up with these WIRED-tested docking systems.
Simon Hill
Zoro Promo Codes for September 2026
Find the best Zoro coupon codes, deals, and free shipping offers to save big on industrial equipment, tools, and supplies in September 2026.
Molly Higgins
Top Design Within Reach Promo Codes for September 2026
Get 30% off, 20% off, and free shipping with our Design Within Reach coupon codes, plus up to 50% off furniture with these special discounts.
Nena Farrell
Top Dyson Promo Codes: 25% Off in September 2026
Get 25% off with a Dyson coupon code, plus save up to $600 with discounts on vacuums, $150 off Airwraps, and more.
Nena Farrell
Top Valvoline Coupons and Promo Codes for 2026
We've gathered all the top Valvoline coupons and promo codes for September 2026, including deals on full synthetic oil changes and other essential maintenance.
Kat Merck
These Are the Dyson Vacuums Worth Buying (and Some to Avoid)
Feeling the pull of a new clean machine? I'll help you make sense of Dyson’s whirlwind vacuum lineup.
Nena Farrell
LG Promo Codes and Coupons for September 2026
Save 20% with an LG promo code today, plus up to $1,000 off appliances, 40% off bestselling TVs and monitors.
Harry Rabinowitz
The Best Folding Phones
Ready to move on from the traditional glass slab? Introduce a hinge into your life with these folding smartphones.
Julian Chokkattu