The weight of electrical and electronic waste, sometimes known as “e-waste”, reached a record in the world in 2014, to 41.8 million tonnes, against 39.8 million in 2013, a report released Sunday. Nearly 60% of these products were kitchen facilities, bathroom or laundry room, according to the study published by the United Nations University (UNU). Some 7% were mobile phones, calculators, laptops or printers.
According to the study, Norway is the country that produces the largest amount of e-waste per capita, 28.4 kg followed by Switzerland (26.3 kg) and Iceland (26.1 kg). France is in eighth position with 22.2 kg per capita.
Less than one-sixth of this waste was recycled properly
The region that generates the least e-waste is Africa, with an estimated release to 1.7 kg per capita. In total, the continent has produced 1.9 million tonnes of waste. In terms of volume this time, it is the USA and China that top, both totaling 32% of the global share e-waste , followed by Japan, Germany and India.
Less than a sixth of this waste was recycled properly, also emphasizes the study. Or they contain valuable resources such as iron, copper, and gold: the waste and 2014 had an estimated value of 48 billion euros. “Globally, e-waste is a valuable urban mine – a large potential pool of recyclable materials,” said David Malone, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and UNU Rector
They also contained 2.2 million tonnes of hazardous components such as mercury, cadmium or chromium, a “toxic mine that must be managed with extreme caution,” warns David Malone. The 50 million tons annual e-waste should be reached in 2018.
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