As humanity’s desire for new technology grows, so do the mountains of potentially toxic electronic waste.
Some 54 million metric tonnes of phones, computers and other so-called e-waste are produced a year, according to data from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and partners.
That is equivalent to 7 kilogrammes for every person on Earth; a number predicted to double by 2050 if nothing is done. Only 17 per cent of e-waste is recycled. The rest is dumped, often to be sifted through in low-income countries by informal workers, including children, seeking to extract valuable materials at grave risk to their health.
To shed light on this issue, UNEP has partnered with Kenyan spoken word poet Beatrice Kariuki on a compelling new short video series, which explores the planetary risks posed by poor waste management. The first video tackles e-waste and Beatrice asks: “How much more can our planet take of machines that are made to break?”
Progress is being made with UNEP leading science-based global efforts to stem pollution and waste. In its convening role, UNEP brings decision makers together under the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm conventions, supporting global agreements to reduce pollution and waste.
The most recent meeting in June saw a strengthening of international cooperation on e-waste management to ensure countries exporting e-waste must first receive informed consent from the recipients.
This builds transparency and accountability, which research shows are foundations of a sustainable circular economy in which less is wasted, and more is recycled, repaired, and reused.
Pollution and waste are part of the triple planetary crisis that includes nature and biodiversity loss, and climate change, all driven by unsustainable consumption and production.
To hold back the torrent of trash, experts say everyone can take action. Consumers can buy fewer things while recycling and reusing more. Governments can develop e-waste management systems to collect and recycle, extracting in a safe way some of the estimated $62.5 billion of value from discarded materials. Finally, companies can build products designed to last, not to be replaced, and to be reused.
To fight the pervasive impact of pollution on society, UNEP launched #BeatPollution, a strategy for rapid, large-scale and coordinated action against air, land and water pollution. The strategy highlights the impact of pollution on climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and human health. Through science-based messaging, the campaign showcases how transitioning to a pollution-free planet is vital for future generations.
