Work out e waste volume instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
E-waste mass is device count times average weight. Roughly 30-40% by weight is recoverable metal — steel, aluminium, copper and small quantities of precious metals — while 2-5% comprises hazardous components such as batteries, mercury lamps, capacitors and CRT glass that must be segregated before processing.
E-waste mass
Mass (t) = devices x average weight (kg) / 1000
Fractions
Recoverable metals = mass x metal fraction; hazardous = mass x hazardous fraction
E-waste is classified as hazardous waste in many jurisdictions and must be handled by authorised facilities with documented transfer notes and data security controls.
Batteries cause fires in shredders, mercury lamps release vapour, and capacitors may contain PCBs. Regulations require these to be removed by hand before any mechanical processing.
Yes for IT equipment. Certified data erasure or physical destruction with an audit trail is normally a contractual and data protection requirement separate from the waste obligations.