BigTech’s Sustainability Problem In 2016, the world threw away 49 million tons of electronics waste—roughly the equivalent of 4,500 Eiffel Towers. By 2021, experts estimate that number will grow to more than 57 million tons (another 735 Eiffel Towers.) In the US alone, consumers dispose of millions of dollars of electronics every year. Only 20% of that is properly recycled. The rest ends up clogging landfills and leaking toxic chemicals. To offset this waste, big consumer The industry still has a long way tech companies have announced to go in terms of governance best significant sustainability targets. practices. Because Big Tech players’ assets are almost entirely digital, it can be Yet it is interesting to see them take harder to track their progress. some drastic steps to improve their footprint and brand reputation in the wake of public and governmental pressure. 26