Experts in the US are predicting that there will be a tidal wave of e-waste - or an 'e-tsunami' - as a result of the continuing growth in consumer electronics.

E-waste has become a significant issue in the US and other countries with large electronics industry, as old computers and mobile phones - typically containing a number of pgm metals - are discarded as they become obsolete.

Now new figures released by Computer TakeBack Campaign, a coalition of environmental and recycling groups in the US and abroad, show that the production of electronic waste is likely to undergo rapid growth in the coming years, peaking in 2010.

The warnings follow the conclusions of a three-year study of the issue drawing on industry, government and environmental stakeholders.

Under the auspices of the National Electronics Product Stewardship Initiative (NEPSI), participants sought to establish possible legislative approaches to the e-waste problem without success.

With the environmental problems of e-waste resulting in contamination of soil as well as leading to other hazards if left untreated, the group had hoped to implement guidelines for future conduct.

However, the group failed to reach an agreement for a final proposal to Congress on the issue, leaving the development of e-waste legislation delicately poised.