The world is facing a losing battle against electronic waste, said an&nbsp;UN expert on Wednesday (March 20),&nbsp;following a report revealing that 62 million tonnes of mobile phones and devices were discarded worldwide in just one year, with projections indicating a one-third increase by 2030.

Electronic waste, commonly known as e-waste, encompasses discarded items containing an electric plug or battery, often laden with toxic additives like mercury, posing significant environmental and health risks.

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Kees Baldé, a senior scientific specialist at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Sustainable Cycles Programme, emphasised, "These products are frequently not easily repairable, leading to their swift disposal and consequent escalation of global waste generation. We're unequivocally losing the battle."

In 2022, the annual global e-waste output reached 62 million tonnes, marking an 82 per cent surge since 2010. The annual increase in e-waste generation stands at 2.6 million tonnes, potentially reaching 82 million tonnes by 2030.

Baldé expressed concern over the inadequate management of e-waste, highlighting its tendency to end up in landfills, including smaller items like mobile phones or toothbrushes discarded with residual waste.

Experts attribute this surge in e-waste to factors such as heightened consumption, limited repair options, shortened electronic lifecycles, and insufficient infrastructure for e-waste management.

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Baldé also pointed out that even energy-efficient items like solar panels contribute to e-waste, with an estimated 600,000 tonnes discarded in 2022.

Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), stressed the responsibility of manufacturers in ensuring product longevity and consumer satisfaction. He urged the private sector to adopt a responsible approach, envisioning themselves as good corporate citizens.

(With inputs from agencies)

The world is facing a losing battle against electronic waste, said an UN expert on Wednesday (March 20), following a report revealing that 62 million tonnes of mobile phones and devices were discarded worldwide in just one year, with projections indicating a one-third increase by 2030.

The world is facing a losing battle against electronic waste, said an UN expert on Wednesday (March 20), following a report revealing that 62 million tonnes of mobile phones and devices were discarded worldwide in just one year, with projections indicating a one-third increase by 2030. Electronic waste, commonly known as e-waste, encompasses discarded items containing an electric plug or battery, often laden with toxic additives like mercury, posing significant environmental and health risks. Also read: Is Vaping better than smoking? Study links e-cigarettes to cancer, changes to DNA as smokers Kees Baldé, a senior scientific specialist at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Sustainable Cycles Programme, emphasised, "These products are frequently not easily repairable, leading to their swift disposal and consequent escalation of global waste generation. We're unequivocally losing the battle." In 2022, the annual global e-waste output reached 62 million tonnes, marking an 82 per cent surge since 2010. The annual increase in e-waste generation stands at 2.6 million tonnes, potentially reaching 82 million tonnes by 2030. Baldé expressed concern over the inadequate management of e-waste, highlighting its tendency to end up in landfills, including smaller items like mobile phones or toothbrushes discarded with residual waste. Experts attribute this surge in e-waste to factors such as heightened consumption, limited repair options, shortened electronic lifecycles, and insufficient infrastructure for e-waste management. Also read: Scientists claim they successfully eliminated HIV from infected cells Baldé also pointed out that even energy-efficient items like solar panels contribute to e-waste, with an estimated 600,000 tonnes discarded in 2022. Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau at the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), stressed the responsibility of manufacturers in ensuring product longevity and consumer satisfaction. He urged the private sector to adopt a responsible approach, envisioning themselves as good corporate citizens. (With inputs from agencies)

62 million tonnes of e-waste piled up in just one year, we’re losing the battle: UN expert

The 'Repairing and Borrowing or Buying,' has become a rallying call for several organizations in the United Kingdom, the country which is said to be one of the largest contributors to the increasing problem of electronic waste. A menace that has been highlighted by the United Nations is the world's fastest-growing stream of waste our next report gets you details on how the United Kingdom is tackling this issue. Take a look.

UK battles the menace of electronic waste

Weird waste: From sandy syringes to space junk

As the leaders of the G7 begin to arrive at the South western tip of the UK, their likenesses have also appeared on the side of the Cornish coast in trash. Artists Joe Rush and Alex Wreckage created the sculpture nicknamed "Mount Recyclemore" of the leaders of the G7 out of electronic waste to highlight the huge amount of tech and gadgets that goes unrecycled globally each year.

Artists create giant e-waste 'Mount Recyclemore' sculpture of G7 leaders

Humanity has combined a heap of electronic trash that has surpassed 52.7 million tons confronted by an uncomfortable truth. Watch report.

WION Dispatch: Global e-waste is up 21% in just 5 years

A UN-led report released on Thursday found that the world dumped a record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste last year. Just 17.4% was recycled.

The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 report found that China, with 10.1 million tonnes, was the biggest contributor to e-waste, and the United States was second with 6.9 million tonnes. India, with 3.2 million tonnes, was third. Together these three countries accounted for nearly 38% of the world's e-waste last year.

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"Continent wise, it is quite simple, if you go by the total wage and rated per continent, it is definitely Asia, simply because there is also the biggest world population." Ruediger Kuehr, Director of the United Nations University Uni-Vie Scycle and Co-author of the report of e-waste told Reuters.

While the overall damage done to the environment from all the un-recycled waste may be incalculable, the message from the report was conclusive: "The way in which we produce, consume, and dispose of e-waste is unsustainable."

Global warming is just one issue cited by the report as it noted 98 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents were released into the atmosphere as a result of inadequate recycling of "undocumented" refrigerators and air conditioners.

This year's coronavirus lockdowns have exacerbated the e-waste problem.

"This is not yet reflected in the global e-waste…but we can likely expect also an increase due to the COVID crisis because all of us are doing now home work or home schooling." Kuehr said.

What is happening in India and China is symptomatic of a wider problem in developing countries, where demand for goods like washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners is rising rapidly.

"We found out that in 2019, we produced roughly 54 million tons of e-waste, which is more or less, the weight of 350 cruise ships like the size of Queen Mary 2. It is a huge amount." Antonis Mavropoulos, International Solid Waste Association (ISWS) President told Reuters.

Dinesh Raj Bandela, deputy programme manager at the Centre for Science and Environment, a New Delhi-based research and advocacy body, said India's focus on e-waste had to go beyond the collection, and manufacturers should be encouraged to produce consumer goods that last longer and are less toxic.

Although India is the only country in South Asia to draft legislation for e-waste, its collection remains rudimentary.

A UN-led report released on Thursday found that the world dumped a record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste last year. Just 17.4% was recycled. The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 report found that China, with 10.

A UN-led report released on Thursday found that the world dumped a record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste last year. Just 17.4% was recycled. The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 report found that China, with 10.1 million tonnes, was the biggest contributor to e-waste, and the United States was second with 6.9 million tonnes. India, with 3.2 million tonnes, was third. Together these three countries accounted for nearly 38% of the world's e-waste last year. Also read | Harsh facts on World Environment Day: Climate change, pollution and disasters "Continent wise, it is quite simple, if you go by the total wage and rated per continent, it is definitely Asia, simply because there is also the biggest world population." Ruediger Kuehr, Director of the United Nations University Uni-Vie Scycle and Co-author of the report of e-waste told Reuters. While the overall damage done to the environment from all the un-recycled waste may be incalculable, the message from the report was conclusive: "The way in which we produce, consume, and dispose of e-waste is unsustainable." Global warming is just one issue cited by the report as it noted 98 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents were released into the atmosphere as a result of inadequate recycling of "undocumented" refrigerators and air conditioners. This year's coronavirus lockdowns have exacerbated the e-waste problem. "This is not yet reflected in the global e-waste…but we can likely expect also an increase due to the COVID crisis because all of us are doing now home work or home schooling." Kuehr said. What is happening in India and China is symptomatic of a wider problem in developing countries, where demand for goods like washing machines, refrigerators and air conditioners is rising rapidly. "We found out that in 2019, we produced roughly 54 million tons of e-waste, which is more or less, the weight of 350 cruise ships like the size of Queen Mary 2. It is a huge amount." Antonis Mavropoulos, International Solid Waste Association (ISWS) President told Reuters. Dinesh Raj Bandela, deputy programme manager at the Centre for Science and Environment, a New Delhi-based research and advocacy body, said India's focus on e-waste had to go beyond the collection, and manufacturers should be encouraged to produce consumer goods that last longer and are less toxic. Although India is the only country in South Asia to draft legislation for e-waste, its collection remains rudimentary.

World's e-waste unsustainable, says UN report citing China, India and US

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