BERLIN, March 20 (Xinhua) — The world’s generation of electronic waste (e-waste) is rising five times faster than documented e-waste recycling, exacerbating environmental and health hazards worldwide, according to a report released by UN agencies on Wednesday.
A record 62 million tons of e-waste was generated in 2022, marking a 82-percent increase since 2010, said the report from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
Despite this surge, less than a quarter of the e-waste produced in 2022 was collected and recycled, leaving 62 billion U.S. dollars worth of recoverable resources unaccounted for and posing increased pollution risks to communities globally, it said.
The report projects a further 33-percent increase in e-waste production by 2030 to 82 million tonnes annually. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for immediate action to address the mounting crisis.
“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.
E-waste, defined as any discarded product with a plug or battery, poses significant health and environmental risks due to its toxic components.
“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,” said Vanessa Gray, head of the environment and emergency telecommunications division of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau.
