TECH

In 2019, the mass of electronics launched at the landfill exceeded the weight of Europe's adult population

The UN Global Junk E-waste Monitoring Team released updated statistics on e-waste accounting - dumped or partially recycled electronic and electrical equipment. The mass of waste worldwide has reached a critical level - it has exceeded the weight of Europe's adult population. In fact, from 2014 to 2030, the volume of electronic waste promises to double.
In 2019, 53.6 million tons (metric) of electronic waste were produced worldwide, which represents an increase of 21% compared to 2014. If the waste is thrown at a similar rate, in 2030, 74 million tons of electronic waste will be sent to the landfill. All the blame is on reducing the life cycle of devices and products, as well as limiting the possibilities of repair. In other words, the manufacturers themselves are encouraging the growth of electronic waste.
The largest volume of electronic waste was produced in Asia (24.9 million tons), followed by America (13.1 million tons) and Europe (12 million tons). Africa and Oceania produced 2.9 and 0.7 million tons of electronic waste, respectively. But don't rush to blame Asians. In terms of per capita, Europeans produced the largest electronic waste: 16.2 kg per capita. Asians in this negative ranking occupied the penultimate place with 5.6 kg per capita. Interestingly, in Oceania, 16.1 kg of electronic waste was generated per inhabitant, almost as in Europe.
Of the 17.4 million tons of electrical equipment launched at the landfill in 2019, these are small appliances and electronics (vacuum cleaners, fans, cameras, etc.). Large consumer electronics - washing machines, electric stoves and the like - totaled 13.1 million tons of waste. Air conditioners and heaters represented 10.8 million tons of waste. Monitors and televisions contributed 6.7 million tons of waste to pollution. Small IT and telecommunications equipment was thrown away in the amount of 4.7 million tons, 0.9 million tons of light bulbs were thrown away.
Worst of all, less than 20% of waste (17.4%) is used in this warehouse of valuable metals. This means that iron, copper, gold and other expensive recoverable materials have been irretrievably thrown away, and the amount of losses has been at least $ 54 billion, but there is still a factor of environmental pollution. For example, about 50 tonnes of mercury were released into the earth and air (during burning). Scientists and industry are striving for “cyclical” production, with an emphasis on complete waste processing, but all of this happens very slowly and not everywhere.

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