E-waste encompasses a broad range of discarded electronic equipment, including computers, mobile phones, and network infrastructure such as fiber optic cables. The improper disposal or incineration of e-waste can result in the release of hazardous substances, leading to soil, air, and water. Fiber optic cable is a mixed-material product—glass fibers plus polymers and reinforcement—so the processing is different and the economics are different too. Spools and reels are where volume sneaks up on people. Fiber optics require less maintenance and offer high-speed data transfer, providing long-term cost savings. They offer many advantages over traditional copper wires, such as lower attenuation, higher bandwidth, and immunity to electromagnetic interference.