The amount of e-waste the world generates has increased to 44.7 million metric tonnes as of 2016. Cameras, microwaves, washing machines, refrigerators, and other similar electronics are among the numerous products that aren’t properly recycled.
In Need of E-Recycling
The world is making progress on addressing the environmental problems that are plastic waste and plastic pollution, but thereâs always more we can do to protect our environment. One area that desperately needs attention is how we deal with e-waste: discarded electronics, appliances and other products that have batteries or plugs. According to the new Global E-waste Monitor 2017 report from the United Nations University (UNU), e-waste increased significantly from 2014 to 2016.
An overwhelming 44.7 million metric tonnes (Mt) of e-waste was generated in 2016 â 8 percent higher than the 41.4 million Mt produced in 2014.
This waste includes TVs, smartphones, solar panels, refrigerators, and many other devices. Their number is expected to rise by another 17% by 2021, where it will amount to nearly to 52.2 million metric tonnes of e-waste.
Whatâs more, only 20 percent of the worldâs e-waste was accounted for in 2016, meaning only a relatively small portion was collected and recycled. The report finds that 4 percent of e-waste was thrown into landfills, while the remaining 76 percent was likely incinerated, recycled by third-party organizations, or stored in peopleâs homes.
âThe worldâs e-waste problem continues to grow,â said Jakob Rhyner, Director of the UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security, in a press release on the report. âImproved measurement of e-waste is essential to set and monitor targets, and identify policies. National data should be internationally comparable, frequently updated, published, and interpreted.â
In a press release, the United Nations University compared the weight of 2016âs e-waste to ânine Great Pyramids of Giza, 4,500 Eiffel Towers, or 1.23 million fully loaded 18-wheel 40-ton trucks, enough to form a line from New York to Bangkok and back.â
E-91²Ö¿â Generators Around The World
The ways in which smartphones and TV are produced and released has increased the frequency with which people are upgrading the electronics. Affordability has also had an impact. If your old TV, vacuum, or phone isnât going to a friend or family member, chances are its getting thrown away.
The E-waste report suspects small equipment (vacuum cleaners, electric shavers, cameras), large equipment (washing machines, clothes dryers) and âTemperature exchange equipmentâ (refrigerators, freezers, A/C units) will see the fastest growth in e-waste generation. These three categories are already responsible for 75 percent of global e-waste. Phones, TVs, PC monitors, printers and various lamps are expected to grow at a slower rate.
Per capita, Australia, New Zealand, and the nations of Oceania contribute the most to the worldâs e-waste, at 17.3 kilograms per inhabitant. Europe is the second largest generator of e-waste at an average of 16.6 kg per inhabitant, with North America and South America following behind at 11.6 kg per inhabitant.
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