US Consumer Electronics Disposal Study
Analysis based on 6 articles · First reported Jun 18, 2026 · Last updated Jun 24, 2026
The study highlights consumer behavior regarding electronic waste, which could influence policies and business strategies for companies like Best Buy, Back Market, and Gazelle involved in electronics recycling and reselling. Increased awareness of data security and recycling options could boost the market for these services, while also potentially impacting the environmental footprint of the consumer electronics industry.
A study funded by the United States — National Science Foundation and conducted by researchers from Rochester Institute of Technology and University of Waterloo, including Eric Williams, Payam Saeedi, and Stacey Watson, found that 39% of American consumers store their old electronics rather than recycling or reselling them. The primary reasons for this behavior are anxiety about data security and a lack of knowledge about how to properly dispose of devices. The study suggests that providing better information on secure data wiping and accessible recycling/reselling options, such as those offered by Best Buy, Back Market, and Gazelle, could encourage consumers to give their old electronics a 'second life'.
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