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| E-waste is setting a record |
In 2019, global e-waste records reached 53.6 million tons, including phones, computers, neglected household appliances, and other devices.
A new international report showed that this record exceeds the total weight of all adults in Europe and has increased by 21% since 2014.
The report concludes that only 17% of this e-waste has been officially recycled, and that the vast majority of waste has been buried, incinerated or disappeared somewhere after officials disappeared.
The author of the study said that the report aims to track global progress in e-waste management, but found that the world has shrunk.
According to the report, the problem is likely to get worse. By 2030, the amount of e-waste will nearly double that of 2014, which poses a risk to human health. Because waste can poison the person who deals with it and the environment.
The reporting team collaborates with the International Telecommunication Union, the International Solid Waste Association, the United Nations Environment Program, the World Health Organization and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation Development. This is the third global report published since 2014.
The report pointed out that 50 tons of mercury in all electronic waste lost by the authorities, and many of them are likely to be released into the environment, because mercury is a neurotoxin that affects the brain and can affect children's cognitive abilities.
The American company Total Reclaim has shipped millions of flat screens containing mercury to Hong Kong and threatened workers to dismantle them without training and proper equipment to protect themselves.
Gold, copper, iron, and other minerals worth $ 57 billion were extracted from electronic waste last year alone, and the use of these wastes could reduce the environmental impact of extracting new mineral damage.
Small electronic products such as video cameras, electronic toys, toasters and electric shavers accounted for the majority of electronic waste in 2019 (about 32%).
Large electronics such as kitchen appliances, copiers and solar panels accounted for 24%.
In 2019, the screen represented nearly 7 million tons of e-waste, while small devices (such as phones) represented about 5 million tons of garbage.
Asia is the most populated continent and generates the most waste in 2019, while Europe has the most e-waste per capita and Europe has the highest waste collection rate and recycling rate.