250 Eiffel Towers' worth of waste: The AI boom's toxic hardware problem

Jul 24, 2026 · 12:05 PM UTC ·9 min read · 0 reactions · 0 comments · 4 views

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Innovation Home Innovation Artificial Intelligence 250 Eiffel Towers' worth of waste: The AI boom's toxic hardware problem Chips, servers, cables, and more could compound an already massive problem - here's who it affects and what's being done about it. Written by Erin Carson, Managing Editor, News & FeaturesManaging Editor, News & Features July 24, 2026 at 5:05 a.m. PT ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET's key takeawaysE-waste is an environmental hazard.The AI data center boom could amplify the problem.Waste pickers want a say in the solution.Solomon Njoroge started picking waste at the Dandora dumpsite when he was a child.

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▪Innovation Home Innovation Artificial Intelligence 250 Eiffel Towers' worth of waste: The AI boom's toxic hardware problem Chips, servers, cables, and more could compound an already massive problem - here's who it affects and what's being d
▪Written by Erin Carson, Managing Editor, News & FeaturesManaging Editor, News & Features July 24, 2026 at 5:05 a.m.
▪PT ZDNETFollow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.ZDNET's key takeawaysE-waste is an environmental hazard.The AI data center boom could amplify the problem.Waste pickers want a say in the solution.Solomon Njoroge started picking

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