UNITAR Global E-waste Monitor Report 2024

• The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) has released the Global E-waste Monitor 2024, which states that the world’s generation of electronic waste is rising five times faster than documented e-waste recycling.

KEY FINDINGS:

• The world’s generation of electronic waste is rising five times faster than documented e-waste recycling.
• The 62 million tonnes of e-waste generated in 2022 would fill 55 million 40-tonne trucks, roughly enough trucks to form a bumper-to bumper line encircling the equator.
• Meanwhile, less than one quarter (22.3%) of the year’s e-waste mass was documented as having been properly collected and recycled in 2022, leaving US $62 billion worth of recoverable natural resources unaccounted for and increasing pollution risks to communities worldwide.
• Worldwide, the annual generation of e-waste is rising by 6 million tonnes annually, on track to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030, a further 33% increase from the 2022 figure.
• The report also highlighted the composition of the 62 billion kg of e-waste.
• It contained 31 billion kg of metals, 17 billion kg of plastics and 14 billion kg of other materials (minerals, glass, composite materials, etc.)
• Countries in Asia generate almost half of the world’s e-waste (30 billion kg) but have made limited advances in e-waste management; moreover, relatively few of them have enacted legislation or established clear e-waste collection targets.
• Recycled waste: Less than one quarter (22.3%) of the year’s e-waste mass was documented as having been properly collected and recycled in 2022.
• Among regions, Europe has the highest rate of documented formal collection and recycling of e-waste at 42.8% while Africa generates the lowest rates of e-waste but struggles to recycle it.
• Per-capita e-waste: Europe (17.6 kg), Oceania (16.1 kg) and the Americas (14.1 kg) generated the highest amount of e-waste per capita in 2022.
• E-waste poses health and environmental risks due to toxic substances like mercury.
• Europe leads in per capita e-waste generation, while Asia generates half of the world’s e-waste.
• Despite the increase in e-waste, the growth rate of countries implementing e-waste policies is slowing down.
• Recycling rates for small equipment, comprising one-third of total e-waste, remain low at 12%.
• Urgent attention needed to address the e-waste crisis, especially amidst climate and digital progress initiatives.

STATUS IN INDIA

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has comprehensively revised the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 and notified the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022 in November, 2022 and the same is in force since 1st April, 2023.
• These new rules intend to manage e-waste in an environmentally sound manner and put in place an improved Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regime for e-waste recycling wherein all the manufacturer, producer, refurbisher and recycler are required to register on a portal developed by the CPCB.
• The new provisions would facilitate and channelize the informal sector to the formal sector for doing business and ensure recycling of E-waste in an environmentally sound manner.

ABOUT E-WASTE

• E-Waste is an abbreviation for Electronic-Waste, and it refers to old, obsolete, or abandoned electronic appliances. It comprises their parts, consumables, and spares.
• It is divided into 21 types, which are divided into two basic categories: information technology and communication equipment.

UNITED NATIONS INSTITUTE FOR TRAINING AND RESEARCH

• The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) provides innovative learning solutions to individuals, organizations and institutions to enhance global decision-making and support country-level action for shaping a better future.
• UNITAR was created in 1963 to train and equip young diplomats from newly-independent UN Member States with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate through the diplomatic environment.