By Faridat Salifu
U.N. agencies have raised alarm over the escalating global crisis of electronic waste (e-waste), as discarded electronic devices accumulate while recycling rates remain disturbingly low.
Defined as any device with a plug or battery including cellphones, electronic toys, televisions, microwaves, e-cigarettes, laptops, and solar panels—e-waste does not encompass waste from electronic vehicles, which are categorized separately.
In a report released month ago the U.N.’s International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and its research arm, UNITAR, revealed that approximately 62 million tons of e-waste were generated in 2022 alone.
To visualize this staggering amount, it could fill a line of tractor-trailers bumper to bumper encircling the globe. If current trends continue, this figure is projected to escalate to 82 million tons by 2030.
Metals such as copper, gold, and iron comprised about half of the total e-waste mass, translating to a staggering value of roughly $91 billion.
Plastics accounted for an additional 17 million tons, while other materials—including composite materials and glass—contributed the remaining 14 million tons.
Alarmingly, only 22 percent of the e-waste generated in 2022 was properly collected and recycled.
The U.N. predicts this rate could decline to 20 percent by the end of the decade, driven by factors such as soaring consumption rates, limited repair options, shorter product life cycles, the increasing “electronification” of society, and inadequate e-waste management infrastructure.
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The report also highlighted the hazardous components found in discarded electronic devices, such as mercury and rare Earth metals, which are highly sought after by tech manufacturers.
Currently, a mere one percent of the demand for the 17 minerals that constitute these rare metals is satisfied through recycling efforts.
Asia accounts for approximately half of all e-waste generated globally, yet many countries in the region lack effective laws on e-waste management and collection targets.
In contrast, recycling and collection rates in Europe exceed 40 percent, where the per-capita waste generation stands at nearly 18 kilograms (39 pounds). Africa, however, lags significantly behind, generating the least amount of e-waste among major global regions, with collection and recycling rates hovering around one percent.
“The latest research shows that the global challenge posed by e-waste is only going to grow,” stated Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, head of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau. “With less than half of the world implementing and enforcing effective management strategies, this raises urgent concerns for the establishment of robust regulations to enhance collection and recycling efforts.”
For many in developing countries, e-waste presents an opportunity to earn a livelihood by sifting through trash to locate valuable materials, despite the associated health risks. At the Dandora dumpsite in Nairobi, Kenya—where refuse from the capital is deposited, despite a court ruling it full decades ago—scavengers like Steve Okoth risk their health for a chance at income by collecting e-waste to sell to recycling businesses.
“When the e-waste arrives here, it contains harmful powder that affects my health,” Okoth shared. He noted that as electronic devices heat up, they emit harmful gases, which can lead to respiratory issues, sometimes preventing him from working due to chest problems.
This underscores the urgent need for global action to address the burgeoning e-waste crisis. Without proper regulations, improved recycling infrastructure, and increased public awareness, the detrimental effects of e-waste on both the environment and human health will likely continue to escalate. As the world increasingly relies on electronic devices, the responsibility to manage their lifecycle responsibly becomes even more crucial.
