AI boom creates toxic e-waste equivalent to 250 Eiffel Towers per year

A June report from the United Nations University estimates that the AI data center boom produces about 2.5 million metric tons of e-waste annually, equivalent to 250 Eiffel Towers. Discarded electronics are the fastest-growing waste category, with 82 million metric tons projected by 2030. Toxic metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury from scrapped electronics contaminate water, soil, and air. In the US alone, over 1,500 data centers are in development. Hyperscale data centers contain thousands of servers and GPUs, with lifespans of up to six years according to Google, Oracle, and Microsoft, though there is debate over inflated numbers. Hard drives are particularly hard to recycle due to data security concerns, often requiring shredding that exposes workers to toxins. The UN passed a resolution in December 2024 calling for sustainable AI development. Some companies like Microsoft and Google have initiatives for circularity, including Microsoft's Circular Centers and Google's reverse supply chain. Molg builds robotic microfactories for disassembly. Waste pickers like Solomon Njoroge of Dandora Recyclable Waste CBO advocate for recognition and protection, as they recover precious materials but lack proper equipment and safe conditions.