The Environmental Impacts of Electronic Waste

What is the scope of electronic waste?

• Every day, thousands of tons of electronic waste — much of it still in working condition — is disposed of globally, leading to a raft of adverse environmental outcomes.
• Tech companies produce a staggering amount of goods: in 2021, 1.43 billion smartphones, 548 million pairs of headphones, 341 million computers, and 210 million TVs were sold globally. When these items reach the end of their life cycle, they typically end up in a landfill or incinerator.
• Only 17.4% of electronic waste is properly recycled. Between 7-20% of the waste is exported to developing countries.
• In 2019, there were 53.6 million tons of electronic waste produced globally. The figure is growing by 2% each year. It is estimated that e-waste generation will increase to 74.7 million tons by 2030 at current consumption levels.

The environmental and human impact

• Manufacturers and retailers frequently destroy "deadstock," unused but perfectly functional equipment, so older models can't compete with new phones, computers, and consoles. In 2021, it was discovered that Amazon was destroying millions of brand-new, functional items a year.
• Manufacturers are also suspected of designing items with "planned obsolescence" in mind so that older models need to be upgraded more frequently.
• The 2002 documentary Exporting Harm detailed the environmental impact of e-waste on rural China. Many of the children in the village featured in the film had lead poisoning from the heavy metals in the e-waste.
• Individuals who work or live near e-waste dumps are exposed to toxic lead, mercury, nickel, and brominated flame retardants.
•  Before being torn down, Agbogbloshie, a slum in Accra, Ghana, was considered the world's largest e-waste dump, and eggs produced nearby were found to have 220 times the safe daily intake of dioxins. 
• Approximately 12.9 million women and up to 18 million children work in the informal waste sector.
• World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said:

"In the same way the world has rallied to protect the seas and their ecosystems from plastic and microplastic pollution, we need to rally to protect our most valuable resource – the health of our children – from the growing threat of e-waste."

What can be done?

• Many organizations promote an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme whereby producers take accountability for their products throughout their lifecycle or contribute a percentage of sales to a central recycling fund. This method is based on the "polluter-pays principle."
• EPR can be a strong policy instrument, reflected in the growing recycling rate in EU member countries from 47% to 65% from 1998 to 2012.
• Many countries in Latin America, such as Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Mexico, have introduced legislative frameworks to implement EPR.

Are you concerned about e-waste?

—Emma Kansiz 

(Photo Credit: Canva)