The Hidden Cost of 5G: Energy Consumption, E-waste, and Sustainability Challenges

This article analyzes the environmental impact of 5G network deployment. It focuses on three key areas: 1) High energy consumption of Massive MIMO and mmWave base stations, 2) Accelerated e-waste generation from device obsolescence, and 3) Sustainability strategies including AI-driven sleep modes, renewable energy, and circular economy approaches. The study provides recommendations for telecom operators and policymakers to balance 5G performance with environmental responsibility.