U.N. agencies have warned that waste from electronics is piling up worldwide while recycling rates remain low and are likely to fall even further.
The agencies were referring to “e-waste,” which is defined as discarded devices with a plug or battery, including cellphones, electronic toys, TVs, microwave ovens, e-cigarettes, laptop computers and solar panels. It does not include waste from electronic vehicles, which fall into a separate category.
In a report released Wednesday, the U.N.’s International Telecommunications Union and research arm UNITAR said some 62 million tons of “e-waste” was generated in 2022, enough to fill tractor-trailers that could be lined up bumper to bumper around the globe. It’s on track to reach 82 million tons by 2030.
Metals — including copper, gold and iron — made up half of the 62 million tons, worth a total of some $91 billion, the report said. Plastics accounted for 17 million tons and the remaining 14 million tons include substances like composite materials and glass.
Thanks for the video , it was an eye opener, to say the least.
When I drop off my electronics at “recycling” facilities, I always wonder if they don’t just end up at a place like this. It’s hard to tell if sending them to a local landfill wouldn’t be less impactful on the environment.
Out of sight, out of mind I guess.
Yeah, this is my concern to. Is this item just going to end up on a burning trash heap somewhere, or is it actually going to be recycled? Better to at least try, but even so it’s frustrating…
Same. I’m in Australia so there is a lot of space. At the supermarket near me they have a dedicated battery recyclin g bin, so I guess I trust this a little more than those general recycling bins. That trust is even involved is not ideal though.
For now I just try hard to keep old stuff going for my friends and family. Software-wise they all use native apps for personal and work, so I see about 7-8 years of life for each laptop/desktop.