Bitcoin mining consumes a lot of energy, but it's not the only environmental impact. As of May, bitcoin mining produced as much as 30700 tons of e-waste a year, the equivalent of small IT equipment waste produced in the Netherlands, according to a new study.
According to the Science Direct report, each transaction processed by Bitcoin on the blockchain produces an average of 272g of e-waste.
The study estimates that bitcoin mining could produce as much as 64400 tons of e-waste this year. "E-waste poses a growing threat to our environment, from toxic chemicals and heavy metals seeping into the soil to air and water pollution caused by improper recycling," the study said. "