The AV industry possesses the science, tools and policy options to reduce its share of the world’s fastest-growing solid waste stream. It just lacks the will to use them. Oladele “Dele” Ogunseitan, Ph.D., M.P.H., a professor at the University of California, Irvine, delivered this message during his keynote at the SAVe Global Conference.
His talk, “From Recognition to Remedy: Research and Advocacy at the Intersection of Electronic Waste and Sustainable Development,” pulled from more than twenty years of research into the health and environmental effects of e-waste. Ogunseitan identified end-of-life product stewardship as the most immediate opportunity for you to act.
Key Things to Know
- The scale: The AV industry contributes 1.5 million to 2 million metric tons of e-waste each year.
- Low recycling rates: About 80 percent of discarded electronics end up in landfills, incinerators or informal processing sites.
- Hazardous materials: AV products can contain lead, cobalt, mercury, indium, flame retardants and PFAS.
- Design matters most: The biggest gains come from identifying hazardous materials before products reach the market.
- Your influence: Your purchasing and decommissioning decisions directly affect e-waste levels.
The AV Industry’s E-Waste Footprint
Global e-waste grows by an estimated 2.6 million metric tons each year. The AV industry contributes about 1.5 million to 2 million metric tons of that total. This means our sector is a primary driver of the problem. Only 20 percent of global e-waste is formally recycled.
The rest leaches hazardous materials into the soil, water and air. Ogunseitan noted that AV products aren’t on the sidelines. They’re at the center of the electronic industry’s waste issue.
“It’s embedded within the electronic industry,” he says.
The industry doesn’t need more proof before it acts. “We have the scientific evidence,” Ogunseitan says. He says the tools and policy capabilities already exist. What’s missing is the will to act.
Hazardous Materials Inside AV Products
AV equipment contains substances that cause lasting harm to people and ecosystems. These include lead in circuit boards, cobalt in batteries and mercury in backlights. This isn’t a theoretical risk; it’s a direct threat to human health. Ogunseitan also noted that halogenated flame retardants and PFAS appear in electronics.
“There are real chemicals, in real products, that cause real harm,” Ogunseitan says.
Lead is the most dangerous example. No amount of lead in the blood is safe, and its effects on children are irreversible.
Don’t assume newer products are safer. Every new design requires rigorous evaluation before it enters the market.
Environmental Justice Starts at Extraction
The health burden of e-waste falls mostly on the developing world. This injustice starts at the mine and ends at the landfill. Cobalt sourcing often involves hazardous mining and child labor in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Component choices have consequences for people thousands of miles away. These communities bear the health consequences of decisions made by manufacturers.
“It’s an injustice that the AV industry has the power to help remedy,” Ogunseitan says.
Why Design Stage Intervention Matters Most
The design stage is the most effective point to reduce harm. Fixing a problem at the start is better than trying to recycle it later. Ogunseitan cited the EU RoHS Directive as proof that evidence can drive regulation.
Apple has worked on safer material choices through green chemistry. Microsoft has researched bio-based circuit boards. While they show promise, they still face challenges.
Toxicity is not just about concentration. Mixtures of materials can be more dangerous than individual chemicals. This means standard assessments often underestimate the true hazard. Ogunseitan helped develop a toxicity-weighted framework to give a more accurate picture of a product’s true hazard profile.
Circularity and Material Recovery
Valuable materials in AV products can return to the supply chain if you build the systems to recover them. You can recycle neodymium from magnets and speakers. Indium can also be recovered through closed-loop programs.
Transparency drives accountability. When you document where products go, they’re less likely to end up in illegal dumps. Use materials disclosures and takeback programs to support this.
Progress happens incrementally. The goal is to bend the e-waste curve through constant improvement.
Policy Frameworks: RoHS, the Basel Convention and Beyond
Voluntary action and government policy work together to create change. Frameworks like the Basel Convention and the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act govern how to handle waste. We need global standards to stop waste exports from being disguised as used goods.
Individual companies often hesitate to move first because they fear losing a competitive edge. This makes regulation the floor for the industry, not the ceiling.
“I strongly encourage you to be at the table as these policies are being developed,” Ogunseitan says.
Calls to Action for Manufacturers
Design is the most powerful tool manufacturers have. They must identify hazardous materials before they reach the market. Invest in takeback programs and disclose materials.
Sustainability is becoming a baseline market expectation. Companies that lead this shift will gain the advantage.
Calls to Action for Integrators
Your purchasing power is your primary tool for change. Prioritize products with clear sustainability credentials and transparency. This means asking for materials disclosures during selection.
Use responsible disposal channels when you decommission equipment. Help your clients understand that the most sustainable product is often the one they already own. Extending equipment life reduces waste without sacrificing performance.
Institutional buyers can reinforce these choices. Build materials transparency into your procurement requirements.
Why the Window to Act Is Closing
The window to act is closing, but the situation isn’t hopeless. Partnerships are the only way to move forward. We can’t afford to keep this research in academic journals.
“We are at a pivotal moment for the AV industry. I really believe that,” Ogunseitan says.
The situation is time-sensitive. The moment is now.
