Electronic waste mountain to grow by third by 2017

The mountain of refrigerators, cellphones, TV sets and other electrical waste disposed of annually worldwide is forecast to grow by a third by 2017, according to a UN study released yesterday.

E-waste — defined as anything with a battery or a cord — can pose a big problem because it often contains substances that are harmful to humans and the environment if not properly treated.

On the other hand, some of it can be profitably recycled.