Context: According to the Global E-waste Monitor (GEM), the world’s generation of electronic waste is rising five times faster than documented e-waste recycling.

Key Findings

• The Global E-Waste Monitor 2024 recently revealed that billions of kilograms of e-waste are generated annually, with only a fraction recycled.

• 62 million tonnes of e-waste generated in 2022, but only 22.3% recycled.

The report also highlighted the composition of the 62 billion kg of e-waste.

• It contained 31 billion kg of metals, 17 billion kg of plastics and 14 billion kg of other materials (minerals, glass, composite materials, etc.)

Countries in Asia generate almost half of the world’s e-waste (30 billion kg) but have made limited advances in e-waste management; moreover, relatively few of them have enacted legislation or established clear e-waste collection targets.

• Recycled waste: Less than one quarter (22.3%) of the year’s e-waste mass was documented as having been properly collected and recycled in 2022.

• Among regions, Europe has the highest rate of documented formal collection and recycling of e-waste at 42.8% while Africa generates the lowest rates of e-waste but struggles to recycle it.

• Per-capita e-waste: Europe (17.6 kg), Oceania (16.1 kg) and the Americas (14.1 kg) generated the highest amount of e-waste per capita in 2022.

• E-waste poses health and environmental risks due to toxic substances like mercury.

• Europe leads in per capita e-waste generation, while Asia generates half of the world's e-waste.

• Despite the increase in e-waste, the growth rate of countries implementing e-waste policies is slowing down.

• Recycling rates for small equipment, comprising one-third of total e-waste, remain low at 12%.

• Urgent attention needed to address the e-waste crisis, especially amidst climate and digital progress initiatives.

• Calls for sound regulations and transitioning to a circular economy for electronics to tackle the growing global challenge.

Impacts and Challenges 

• E-waste, any discarded product with a plug or battery, is a health and environmental hazard, containing toxic additives or hazardous substances such as mercury, which can damage the human brain and coordination system

• Challenges contributing to the widening gap include technological progress, higher consumption, limited repair options, shorter product life cycles, society’s growing electronification, design shortcomings, and inadequate e-waste management infrastructure.

Global Policy 

• On the policy front, 81 countries have adopted e-waste policy, legislation or regulation. Sixty-seven countries have legal provisions on EPR for e-waste.

•  Another 46 have provisions on e-waste collection rate targets. Finally, 36 countries have provisions on e-waste recycling rate targets.

Status in India 

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has comprehensively revised the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 and notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 in November, 2022 and the same is in force since 1st April, 2023. 

• These new rules intend to manage e-waste in an environmentally sound manner and put in place an improved Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime for e-waste recycling wherein all the manufacturer, producer, refurbisher and recycler are required to register on a portal developed by the CPCB.

• The new provisions would facilitate and channelize the informal sector to the formal sector for doing business and ensure recycling of E-waste in an environmentally sound manner.

• Provisions for environmental compensation and verification & audit have also been introduced. 

Suggestions 

• 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.

• There is an immediate call for greater investment in infrastructure development, more promotion of repair and reuse, capacity building, and measures to stop illegal e-waste shipments. 

• Concrete steps are urgently needed to address and reduce e-waste. 

• Improved e-waste management could result in a global net positive of US $38 billion, representing a significant economic opportunity while addressing climate change and health impacts.

• 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.

• Monitoring the quantities and flows of e-waste is essential for evaluating developments over time, and to set and assess targets towards a sustainable society and circular economy.