The world's e-waste problem is getting worse, the UN says
Newsy
U.N. monitors said in 2022, 62 million tons of electronics waste was discarded. By 2030, totals could reach 82 million tons.
In a new report released this week, the United Nations said the amount of electronics waste worldwide is growing even as efforts to recycle it may be falling even further behind targets.
The Global E-waste Monitor's report defines e-waste as "any discarded product with a plug or battery." This includes phones, computers, e-cigarettes, solar panels and other electronic appliances. It doesn't include electronic vehicle waste.
The report says in 2022, 62 million tons of waste was discarded. By 2030, totals could reach 82 million tons.
The waste threatens the state of the environment and the health of humans. Mercury, cadmium, lead and arsenic found in electronic waste can cause neurological damage, cancer and miscarriages.
The report also notes that discarded tech products equals billions of dollars in potentially recoverable materials that are going to waste. Discarded metals in waste — like copper and gold —could be worth more than $90 billion if the materials were properly reclaimed. Right now, recycled rare earth metals only meet 1% of demand.
