Have you ever come across the term "E-waste"?
It's an abbreviation for Electronic Waste, and it's what we call products that run on electricity or batteries when they become waste. Chances are, as you're reading this article, you're using a computer, smartphone, or tablet. When these devices reach the end of their useful life and are discarded, they transform into E-waste. Take a moment to look around you – in our offices, kitchens, and bedrooms, our modern lives are full of electrical appliances.
Understanding E-waste
E-waste is becoming one of the fastest-growing waste categories globally. In 2019, a staggering 53.6 million metric tons (mt) of E-waste were generated worldwide. This marked a significant increase of 21% compared to the amount produced in 2014.
To put it in perspective, that's approximately 7 kilograms of E-waste per person, and this figure is expected to double by 2050 if no action is taken. Only 17% of this E-waste is properly recycled.
Impacts on the environment and our health
Now, let's delve into the environmental and health impacts of E-waste. Although modern electronic devices have reduced the use of hazardous substances, the informal E-waste recycling sector in many developing countries use dangerous chemicals such as aqua regia, nitric acid, and hydrochloric acid to dissolve metals like gold and other precious materials found in E-waste.
Unfortunately, these hazardous chemicals are frequently mishandled and improperly disposed of. It is resulting in significant environmental and health risks. Without responsible E-waste management, particularly in regions with substantial informal recycling activities, there is an elevated risk of these substances contaminating the environment, including soil and water sources.In such informal sector, Women and children, in particular, are vulnerable, with documented effects on hormone levels and immune function due to exposure to toxic environments.
Moreover, improper E-waste management results in substantial greenhouse gas emissions when these items are disposed of, contributing to climate change. For instance, it's been reported that 98 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents were released into the atmosphere due to improper disposal of items like fridges and air conditioners in 2019 alone. This is equivalent to approximately 0.3% of global greenhouse gas emissions that year, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Furthermore, despite the recyclability of E-waste materials, when they're discarded, primary raw materials are extracted anew, exacerbating greenhouse gas emissions associated with mining and refining.
So, what can we do?
For the sake of our planet's future, we must establish a sustainable E-waste management system and embrace a circular economy with higher recovery and recycling rates.
As consumers, we can extend the life of our electronic devices by repairing and recycling them whenever possible. Producers should prioritize designing products for durability, ease of repair, and recyclability. Several initiatives exist where producers collect discarded electronic equipment and reuse the materials. Governments must support such endeavors to reduce E-waste and safeguard informal workers from hazardous waste risks.
IETC’s work on E-waste
UNEP’s International Environmental Technology Centre (IETC) is actively involved in E-waste-related initiatives such as publishing E-waste foresight reports, providing in-country advisory services, and participating in International Networks. This includes projects addressing specific E-waste challenges such as electric vehicle (EV) batteries and end-of-life solar panels, as well as the creation of fact sheets that analyze E-waste issues from a gender perspective.
For more information, please explore the links provided below.
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