As digital technologies transform our daily lives—shaping how we work, learn, connect, and do business—e-waste management isn’t keeping up with this rapid progress. According to reports from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), global e-waste reached 62 billion kilograms by 2022.
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Moreover, improper e-waste management contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating climate change. In 2019 alone, 98 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents were released into the atmosphere due to improper disposal of appliances like fridges and air conditioners—about 0.3% of global emissions, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Discarded e-waste materials, despite being recyclable, drive the extraction of new raw materials, further increasing emissions tied to mining and refining.
To protect the environment and unlock social, economic, and cultural benefits, countries must act now to raise e-waste recycling and collection rates to 60% by 2030. The potential gains, including reducing human health risks, would far outweigh the costs.
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Source : United Nations Environment Programme
InfoCons – European Organization for Consumer Protection and Promotion of Programs and Strategies , a full member of the World Organization Consumers International, founding member of the Federation of Consumer Associations, and member of ANEC.