E-Waste: The Facts

Did you know that globally last year, the total amount of electronic waste reached 53.6 million metric tonnes? With such rapid advances in technology and endless new innovative products released every year, electronic waste will quickly become one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world.

Sources:

1. Government of Canada, Office of Consumer Affairs

2. Forti V., Baldé C.P., Kuehr R., Bel G. The Global E-waste Monitor 2020: Quantities, flows and the circular economy potential. United Nations University (UNU)/United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) – co-hosted SCYCLE Programme, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) & International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), Bonn/Geneva/Rotterdam. 

3. Belkhir, Lotfi, & Elmeligi, Ahmed. Assessing ICT global emissions footprint: Trends to 2040 & recommendations. W Booth School of Engineering Practice & Technology, McMaster University, Canada. Journal of Cleaner Production. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.239 

4. Bureau of International Recycling

5. United Nations University (UNU)