WEEE Forum Pegs Global E-Waste Generation at 54 Million Tonnes in 2019

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The WEEE Forum noted that the world generated a total of 53.6 million tonnes of electronic scrap in 2019. However, only around 18% of this waste was officially recycled. The rest of the e-waste ended up in landfills or were burned, illegally traded and treated using primitive techniques, thus causing damage to environment.

According to WEEE Forum, the e-waste generated during the previous year was worth approximately EUR 50 billion or equivalent to the value of 2.9 million electric cars. Furthermore, the e-scrap volumes are expected to touch 75 million tonnes by 2030.

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Leo Donovan, chief executive of WEEE Ireland noted that e-scrap is the world’s fastest growing domestic waste stream. The lack of improvement in collection and treatment of e-waste will lead to major environmental issue. He urged consumers to reduce the amount of e-waste produced. Before disposing of electronic devices, they must consider whether they can be reused or repaired, which in turn will help to tackle rising e-waste volumes, he added.

The International E-Waste Day on October 14^th was rightly dedicated to improving awareness about e-waste recycling among societies. It focused on imparting education to young people and the wider public on the importance of making correct decisions regarding disposal of e-waste.