Electronic waste, which includes everything from refrigerators to smartphones, is one of the world’s fastest growing waste streams. Often these items are simply discarded as new technology becomes available. A huge amount of electronic waste is generated globally and currently only around 20% of it is recycled. The complex mixture of materials and components within electronic waste makes it difficult to manage and many of these components can pose hazards to human health or the environment if not disposed of carefully. There have been significant changes in the global approach to electronic waste management and the legislation around it since the publication of the first edition of this book. Since the last couple of decades, society has developed a better understanding of human influence on the environment. As we entered the twenty-first century, the case for improved sustainable performance of electronic products became more fascinating and more deeply understood.