Datacenter Buildout to Triple Global E‑Waste in 25 Years

The rapid expansion of artificial‑intelligence infrastructure is expected to generate a dramatic surge in electronic waste, a new report by the Basel Action Network (BAN) warns. According to the analysis, the construction of thousands of large‑scale data centers over the next 25 years will triple the world’s annual production of toxic e‑waste, producing enough discarded equipment to fill shipping containers that could circumnavigate the globe six times.

The report highlights that the discarded electronics will contain hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), alongside valuable but difficult‑to‑reclaim metals. Despite the projected scale of the waste stream, BAN notes that no comprehensive plan has been put in place to manage or recycle these materials, raising concerns about environmental and public health impacts.

In light of these findings, the report calls for urgent action to develop robust recycling and disposal strategies that can handle the anticipated volume and toxicity of AI‑related e‑waste. Without such measures, the industry’s growth could outpace the capacity to responsibly manage its environmental footprint.