By Wanja Mwaniki
The latest report from the United Nations’ Global E-waste Monitor (GEM) reveals a startling trend: electronic waste generation is increasing five times faster than recycling efforts. In 2022 alone, the world produced a staggering 62 million tonnes of e-waste. To put this into perspective, this amount could fill 1.55 million 40-tonne trucks, enough to form a bumper-to-bumper line encircling the equator.
Jointly published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the report highlights the urgent need for improved e-waste management and recycling infrastructure to address this growing environmental challenge.
The report underscores the significant economic and health benefits of increasing e-waste recycling rates. According to the findings, if countries can elevate their e-waste collection and recycling rates to 60 percent by 2030, the resulting benefits could surpass $38 billion. This figure includes substantial savings from minimizing health risks associated with improper e-waste disposal, often leading to hazardous substances contaminating the environment and affecting human health.
“Amidst the hopeful embrace of solar panels and electronic equipment to combat the climate crisis and drive digital progress, the surge in e-waste requires urgent attention,” said Nikhil Seth, Executive Director of UNITAR.
The report also highlights a critical dependency on a handful of countries for rare earth elements. These elements are indispensable for producing advanced technologies, including renewable energy systems and electric vehicles. China, in particular, dominates the global supply chain, holding the largest reserves and being the leading producer of these essential materials. This reliance poses a strategic challenge, as the demand for rare earth elements is expected to surge with the ongoing transition to green technologies.
The Global E-waste Monitor reports that we are currently losing approximately $91 billion in valuable metals due to inadequate e-waste recycling.
“We must seize the economic and environmental benefits of proper e-waste management; otherwise, the digital ambitions of our future generations will face significant risks,” noted Vanessa Gray, Head of the Environment & Emergency Telecommunications Division at the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau.
