A new report released Wednesday by the United Nations’ International Telecommunications Union and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research warns that electrical and electronic waste is piling up around the world.
E-waste is defined as any discarded device with a plug or battery, such as a mobile phone, laptop or electric car.
Nearly 62 million tons of e-waste were generated in 2022, according to a new report, and there are no signs of the trend reversing or recycling rates rising. This waste may contain harmful substances such as mercury or rare earth metals.
Waste is also not always stored efficiently.According to the United Nations, more than 22% of e-waste will be properly collected and recycled by 2022
The UN agency said the higher e-waste rates can be attributed to higher consumption, limited repair options, shorter product life cycles, the increasing “digitization” of society and inadequate e-waste management infrastructure.
“The latest research shows that the global challenge posed by e-waste is only getting worse,” said Cosmas Zavazava, ITU sector director. “Fewer than half of the world’s countries have implemented and Implementing a solution to this problem is a wake-up call for robust regulations to facilitate collection and recycling.”
The rise in e-waste has also led to an increase in waste pickers in developing countries, who sift through waste in landfills to resell potentially valuable materials. This can increase health risks, especially for those who rely on scavenging for a living.
“When the e-waste comes here, it contains some powder that affects my health,” said Steve Okoth, who makes a small income picking up trash. He said when electronic devices heat up, they release gas, and he “cannot go to work because of chest problems.”
Portions of this report were provided by The Associated Press.
