Which countries produce the most electronic waste?

It has surged in recent years, rising 82% between 2010 and 2022, according to the Global E-Waste Monitor.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Electronic waste is on track to reach 82 million tonnes (Mt) globally by 2030, surging from 62 Mt in 2022, according to new data.

Also known as e-waste, appliances such as electronic toothbrushes, kettles, washing machines, mobile phones and laptops, contain materials and chemicals that can be toxic, are not biodegradable and accumulate in the soil, air, water and all living things.

It has surged in recent years, rising 82% between 2010 and 2022, according to the Global E-Waste Monitor.

People in Norway, the UK and Switzerland produce the most e-waste per person, at 26.8 kg, 24.5 kg and 23.4 kg respectively.

France, Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Belgium follow, all producing more than 21 kg each per year.

Outside Europe, Australia (22 kg) and the United States (21 kg) also contribute significantly, while Japan (21 kg) and Taiwan (19 kg) are the highest e-waste producers in Asia.

Recycling benefits

Just 22% of global e-waste is formally collected and recycled each year. Bulgaria and Poland lead the world in recycling, recovering over 80% of their e-waste.

The data was produced by e-SIM provider Holafly. It sold more than 13 million e-SIMs worldwide, which it says contributed to a reduction of SIM card e-waste of more than 5.6 tonnes.

A separate analysis revealed the economic opportunities from Europe’s rapidly expanding ‘urban mine’ of e-waste.

Discarded electronic products in the EU27, UK, Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway annually now contain roughly one million tonnes of critical raw materials, which are essential metals and minerals for green technologies, digital infrastructure, and modern defence.

Europe should recover more of these essential materials by improving collection, design, and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment, the report says.

The 31 countries analysed generated an average of 20 kg of e-waste per person, containing 29 critical raw materials.

Courtesy: www.yourweather.co.uk