According to the latest update from the UN’s Global E-Waste Monitor, which tracks global waste and recycling patterns, the production of e-waste reached a staggering 62 million tonnes in 2022. This marks an 82% increase since records began in 2010. The UN attributes this surge to heightened rates of consumption and shorter product lifecycles.
Despite the significant monetary value embedded in e-waste, estimated at over $91 billion, the majority of it goes to waste due to low recycling rates. Although there have been efforts to bolster repair options and recycling infrastructure, with documented recycling rates climbing to 22.3% in 2022 from 17.4% in 2019, progress remains slow.
The UN warns that e-waste recycling infrastructure is largely inadequate globally. While Europe boasts recycling rates exceeding 40%, they plummet to less than 1% in Africa. Moreover, the trend of high-income nations exporting waste, including e-waste, to lower-income countries persists, despite the challenges posed by informal recycling practices in these markets.
Improper processing of e-waste poses significant risks to both public health and the environment, as classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) due to the potential toxic pollutants and microplastics in these products. The Institute estimates that increasing global e-waste recycling rates above 60% and implementing waste prevention strategies could outweigh costs by 38%, offering benefits such as reduced public health spending and increased availability of rare earth elements crucial for low-carbon technologies.
The data reveals that e-waste generation per capita is highest in Europe, with each person producing 17.6kg of waste in 2022, much of which remains unrecycled. Material Focus, in its recent analysis, notes that the average British household now contains 30 unwanted or broken devices, up from 20 four years ago. The surge is attributed to increased adoption of short-lived products and tech fads, coupled with reluctance to recycle due to factors like lack of awareness and data privacy concerns.
Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, points out that the value of materials within electricals has surged by up to 180% over the last four years, underscoring the importance of not ignoring this value.
