Context: As we celebrate the third International E-waste day October 14, 2020, let’s move a step back and take stock of the stark reality of E-waste.
Electronic waste (E-waste: It is the fastest growing stream of waste — but it is also the most valuable stream of waste. A tonne of E-waste is likely to have more silver than a tonne of silver ore.
Key Points

• Nearly 53.6 million tonnes of E-waste was generated in 2019 globally — this was at the rate of 7.3 kilogram per capita. 
• The documented average collection and recycling rates of all continents stand at a meagre 14.66 per cent, with Europe recycling 42.5 per cent of its E-waste and Africa recycling just 0.9 per cent.
• Where as India generated 3.2 million tonnes of E-waste in 2019; details of 90 per cent of this waste are undocumented
• Which means we have no clue where 80 per cent of the E-waste produced globally comes from, where it is disposed of and what are the pre-treatment methods used to extract the resource before it is discarded off.
• Of this undocumented E-waste, 20 per cent is exported as second-hand products or as E-waste to low- or middle-income countries.
• In high-income countries, around 8 per cent of the E-waste is discarded in waste bins along with other streams of waste, which ends up in landfills.

Global Vs India

• As of 2019, 78 countries had a policy, regulation or legislation for scientific and sound management of E-waste. 
• It is, therefore, important to note that approximately 40 per cent of our globe is covered by legislation, policy or regulation that governs proper management of E-waste.
• India generated 3.2 million tonnes of E-waste in 2019. Details of 90 per cent of this waste are undocumented. 
• According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India has 312 registered E-waste recyclers with a capacity to handle 782,080.62 tonnes of E-waste every year.
• This means that if all the E-waste is routed to the authorised recyclers in India, it would take four years for the recyclers to process it. And this is after the optimistic assumption that all recyclers work at full capacity.

E-waste recyclers scenario in India'

• As per Centre for Science and Environment, a New Delhi-based think tank, visited E-waste recyclers to gauge the situation on the ground, it found that recycling was not happening at the scale the recyclers were authorised to work at.
• The recycling potential of our country is poor, more than 90 per cent of our E-waste is handled by the informal sector that resorts to non-scientific and dangerous methods to extract the resource from E-waste and dump it irresponsibly later on.
• It leads to jeopardises their health and compromises the safety and well-being of people and the environment. 
• The electronic equipment contains hazardous metallic contaminants such as cadmium, lead and beryllium. Plastics account to 30% of E-waste. Lead is the most harmful hazardous element of all the electronic equipment. Lead affects children more than the adults.

Road Ahead

• It is quite evident that we, as a global community, have failed miserably to manage our E-waste. 
• The rich are diverting their E-waste to the poor, not only globally, but locally as well. This practice must stop.
• We need better implementation methodologies and inclusion policies that provide accommodation and validation for the informal sector to step up and help us meet our recycling targets in an environmentally sound manner.

Additional Information

• According to the United Nations, the volume of E-waste generated in the last five years has increased by 21%. 
• The United Nations also says that around 53.6 million tonnes of E-waste are generated world-wide. Of this only 17.4% is collected and recycled. It also estimates that 74 million tonnes of e-wastes will be generated by 2030.
• Rapid advances in the technology, urbanisation process and economic growth are the major reasons for rapid increase in E-Waste.

About International E-Waste Day

• On October 14, 2020, the third International E-Waste Day was observed. The day is being observed by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Forum (WEEF) since 2018.
• This year, the day is observed on the Theme: "Education"

Significance

• The day brings out the importance of recycling and reducing the e-waste. It is important to celebrate the day and increase awareness about the hazards of E-waste as only 78 countries have sound E-waste management. Only 71% of world population is covered under E-waste legislation.

About WEEE forum

• It was established in 2002 by organizations from six countries such as Austria, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden. Today organizations from more than 25 countries are part of the forum.