E-Waste Recycling: Why It Matters and How It Works

Electronic waste, or e-waste, refers to discarded electric appliances such as computers, smartphones, TVs, and refrigerators. E-waste is the fastest growing solid waste stream in the world, with an estimated 53.6 million tonnes produced globally in 2019. However, only 17.4% of this waste was documented as formally collected and recycled¹, leaving a huge amount of valuable and hazardous materials unaccounted for.

E-waste recycling is the process of extracting useful materials from e-waste and reusing them in new products or disposing of them safely. E-waste recycling has many benefits for the environment, the economy, and human health. Some of these benefits are:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. E-waste recycling can save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding the extraction and processing of virgin materials, which often require more energy and emit more pollutants than recycled materials². For example, recycling one tonne of aluminium can save 14,000 kWh of energy, 40 barrels of oil, and 10 tonnes of CO2³.
• Conserving natural resources and preventing resource depletion. E-waste recycling can conserve natural resources and prevent resource depletion by recovering valuable and scarce materials from e-waste, such as gold, silver, copper, lithium, and rare earth metals. These materials are essential for many industries and products, such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and digital devices Recycling one tonne of e-waste can recover up to 100 kg of copper, 3 kg of silver, 300 g of gold, and 3 g of platinum.
• Protecting human health and the environment. E-waste recycling can protect human health and the environment by preventing the release of toxic substances from e-waste into the air, soil, and water. E-waste contains harmful materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and beryllium, which can cause serious health problems such as cancer, neurological damage, and reproductive disorders. Proper e-waste recycling can ensure that these materials are handled and disposed of safely, minimizing the exposure and risk for workers and communities.

Despite these benefits, e-waste recycling faces many challenges and barriers that limit its potential and effectiveness. Some of these challenges are:

• Lack of awareness and incentives. Many people are unaware of the importance and benefits of e-waste recycling, or do not have the motivation or means to recycle their e-waste. Some factors that contribute to this are the lack of convenient and accessible collection points, the low or negative value of e-waste, the absence of clear regulations and standards, and the fear of losing personal data or intellectual property.
• Lack of infrastructure and technology. Many countries and regions lack the adequate infrastructure and technology to collect, transport, and process e-waste in an efficient and environmentally sound manner. Some factors that contribute to this are the high cost and complexity of e-waste recycling equipment, the low capacity and quality of e-waste recycling facilities, the insufficient training and skills of e-waste recycling workers, and the limited market and demand for recycled materials .
• Lack of coordination and cooperation. E-waste recycling involves multiple stakeholders and sectors, such as governments, manufacturers, retailers, consumers, recyclers, and NGOs. However, there is often a lack of coordination and cooperation among these actors, resulting in gaps, overlaps, and conflicts of interests and responsibilities. Some factors that contribute to this are the diversity and fragmentation of e-waste policies and regulations, the lack of transparency and accountability in e-waste management, the lack of information and data sharing, and the lack of common standards and best practices .

To overcome these challenges and increase e-waste recycling rates, there is a need for a holistic and integrated approach that involves all relevant stakeholders and addresses all aspects of e-waste management, from design and production to consumption and disposal. Some of the actions and measures that can be taken are:

• Raising awareness and education. Increasing the awareness and education of the public and the private sector about the importance and benefits of e-waste recycling, and providing them with the necessary information and guidance on how and where to recycle their e-waste. This can be done through campaigns, workshops, labels, certificates, and incentives.
• Improving infrastructure and technology. Developing and deploying the appropriate infrastructure and technology to collect, transport, and process e-waste in an efficient and environmentally sound manner, and ensuring that they are accessible and affordable for all. This can be done through innovation, investment, subsidies, and partnerships .
• Strengthening coordination and cooperation. Establishing and enhancing the coordination and cooperation among all relevant stakeholders and sectors, and creating a shared vision and strategy for e-waste management. This can be done through dialogue, consultation, collaboration, and harmonization .

E-waste recycling is a vital and valuable activity that can contribute to a more sustainable and circular economy, where resources are used efficiently and waste is minimized. By taking action and working together, we can unlock the enormous opportunity of e-waste recycling and create a better future for ourselves and the planet.