62 million tonnes of e-waste piled up in just one year, we’re losing the battle: UN expert
A scrap dealer piles up discarded TV sets before dismantling them at a scrap yard.
The world is facing a losing battle against electronic waste, said anUN 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.
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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.
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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.
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)