The world is getting buried in electronic waste.
Over the last eight years, an estimated 420.3 million metric tons of e-waste has been produced globally, and the number is expected to double by 2050.
The e-commerce boom is a major contributor to the problem, with many manufacturers and retailers failing to recycle or resell electronics that are returned by dissatisfied consumers.
The return rate for electronics purchased in big box stores is between 7% and 10%, but it’s roughly twice that for e-commerce, according to Chuck Johnston, chief strategy officer of reverse-logistics specialist goTRG. One reason is the inability of online shoppers to…
