As the world rapidly produces ever-growing amounts of electronic waste, valuable resources that are part of some electronic devices are buried in landfills, while hazardous materials threaten human health and the environment. With millions of metric tons of e-waste generated each year–much of it improperly recycled–the consequences of our throwaway culture are vast. Electronics, designed for short lifespans, contribute to a cycle of waste that accelerates resource depletion, threatens human health, and causes enormous environmental damage.

In the future, when archaeologists unearth the remains of our discarded devices, what will they find? Will they marvel at the technological progress that defined our time? Will they lament the overconsumption, environmental destruction, and wasted resources that came with it? The artifacts of e-waste offer a stark, visual reminder of the cost of convenience and the urgent need for responsible consumption and recycling.