GAMES Bethesda Game Studios reveals The Elder Scrolls VI subtitle Sentinel, releases merch before gameplay LINUX Zelda: Breath of the Wild runs natively on Steam Deck at 60 FPS without an emulator AMD Nintendo Switch 2 Emulator Lichii Boots Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake on PC ACCESSORIES Benlydesign Desktop 95 watch ships in November 2026 with 5,000 G shock resistance GAMES Assassin’s Creed Animus board game released with asymmetric Assassin and Templar gameplay INTEL Intel Nova Lake-S caps core frequency at 5.1 GHz above 90 C to prevent Raptor Lake-style failures PHONES iPhone Duo users must factory reset to change Display Zoom after setup NINTENDO iPhone Duo scalpers face steep losses as resale values collapse INTEL Khadas Mind Go 3-in-1 workstation starts at $1,999 with Intel Lunar Lake NINTENDO Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake Runs on Switch 2 Emulator With Stuttering and Washed-Out Colors INTEL MSI Cubi NUC WCG mini PC packs Intel Core 7 and 64 GB RAM in 0.55L chassis AMD AMD warns of double-digit PC shipment decline in 2027 as RAM costs rise AMD World of Warcraft: Forever launches with surprisingly smooth servers and minimal queues PHONES Motorola Signature 27 launches November 5 with Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 and 200MP periscope camera

AI Data Centers Could Triple Global E-Waste by 2030, Report Warns

Lena Fischer 2 min read

A new Basel Action Network report warns AI data centers could generate 13 million tonnes of e- waste annually by 2030, tripling global output over 25 years.

Basel Action Network AI Data Center Infrastructure
PC HARDWARE

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure is triggering a projected surge in electronic waste that could overwhelm current disposal systems. A new report from the Basel Action Network warns that this growth will create up to 13 million metric tonnes of e-waste annually by 2030. This volume represents a significant shift in environmental impact, as the waste stream includes hazardous materials from servers, networking gear, and cooling systems. The scale of this problem matters because global electronic waste management is currently inadequate, leaving most of this toxic byproduct unmanaged.

Report warns AI hardware replacement cycles will overwhelm disposal systems

The core driver of this waste is the aggressive hardware replacement cycle required for AI data centers. Operators must replace equipment every two to five years to maintain performance and efficiency. This frequent turnover accelerates the accumulation of discarded hardware, including power systems and specialized computing components. The Basel Action Network highlights that these components often contain hazardous substances that require careful handling during disposal.

  • Projected E-Waste Volume: 13 million metric tonnes per year by 2030
  • Projected E-Waste Volume (Long-term): Triple the world’s annual output of e-waste over the next 25 years
  • Hardware Replacement Cycle: Every two to five years
  • New Computing Capacity: Roughly 100 GW by 2030
  • Current E-Waste Management: Around one-fifth

Projections indicate that AI-driven infrastructure could triple the world’s annual output of e-waste over the next 25 years. This long-term trend is linked to an estimated 100 GW of new computing capacity being added globally by 2030. The report emphasizes that these figures are projections based on assumptions about construction pace and replacement rates, not measured outcomes. Despite the uncertainty, the potential volume of waste is substantial enough to strain existing waste management infrastructure.

Current electronic waste management practices are insufficient to handle even today’s waste levels, let alone the projected increase. Only around one-fifth of electronic waste is currently properly managed, leaving the majority to be processed informally or landfilled. This gap in management highlights the urgency of addressing the environmental impact of AI hardware. The report serves as a warning that without improved recycling and disposal methods, the e-waste crisis will worsen significantly.

Source: NotebookCheck

Related stories