Feature Photo Credit: cottonbro studio
Waste has become a significant global issue. From the environmental impact to resource depletion and health risks, addressing the waste issue requires a collective effort now. We all need to rethink our consumption habits, embrace recycling and composting, and support policies that promote sustainability. Only by doing so, we can mitigate its impact and move towards a more sustainable future. I have previously talked about Food Waste and Plastic Waste in more detail, but today, I’d like to turn our focus to E-waste and the impact it has. That’s why, in today’s article, I’m answering some of the most common questions you may have about this celebratory day.
WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL E-WASTE DAY?
International E-Waste Day is celebrated every year on October 14th and is a worldwide initiative designed to raise awareness about the escalating issue of electronic waste, commonly referred to as e-waste. Founded in 2018 by the WEEE Forum (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Forum), which represents producer responsibility organisations globally, IEWD seeks to educate people on the importance of responsible electronic waste disposal and promote sustainable management of electronic devices. REPIC Ltd., the UK’s lead member of the WEEE Forum, plays a key role in supporting this effort. IEWD is open to participation by anyone looking to make a positive impact on reducing e-waste.
Retrieve, Recycle, and Revive!
In 2024, as we experience a surge in global electronic consumption, the importance of International E-Waste Day is more urgent than ever. The event urges governments, manufacturers, businesses, and individuals to take shared responsibility for minimising e-waste and ensuring effective recycling practices.
This year’s theme, “Retrieve, Recycle, and Revive!” will focus on motivating people to search for forgotten e-waste hoarded in homes and offices, encouraging them to join the e-waste hunt. It also highlights the necessity of recycling even the smallest gadgets, which are frequently overlooked but play a major role in the overall e-waste dilemma.
WHY CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL E-WASTE DAY?
International E-Waste Day serves not only as a day of awareness but also as a reminder of our duty in an increasingly digital age. We observe this day to emphasise the environmental, social, and economic consequences of our discarded electronics. The event draws attention to the fact that while we benefit from modern technology, there is a troubling reality—millions of tonnes of e-waste are produced annually, much of which goes unrecycled. This year alone, the world is projected to generate over 50 million metric tonnes of e-waste, which amounts to approximately 7.3 kilograms per person, yet only a small fraction is recycled.
A 2022 study by the United Nations Institute for Training & Research (UNITAR) and WEEE Forum members in six countries found that, on average, households own 74 electronic products, with 13 of them being hoarded—9 still working but unused, and 4 broken. Small consumer electronics like headphones and remote controls are the most commonly hoarded items. These devices contain valuable resources that cannot be recycled if they remain stored away in drawers and cupboards.
in 2022, 62 billion kg of e-waste was generated globally. This is the equivalent of 1.55 million trucks filled with e-waste lined up along the whole of the Earth’s equator. The amount of e-waste generated is growing five times faster than formal recycling collection rates since 2010 and will reach 82 billion kg by 2030.
United Nation’s latest Global E-Waste Monitor
It’s clear that e-waste has become the fastest-growing waste stream globally, making it imperative for all of us to participate in this movement. The celebration encourages collaborative efforts to address the e-waste challenge and motivates individuals to rethink how we manage our electronic devices—whether through recycling, reusing, or reducing consumption.
WHAT is E-WASTE?
E-waste includes anything with a plug, cable, or battery, but the items hoarded most often are small electronics: old mobile phones, cables, USB keys, card readers, game consoles, and other devices that are often kept out of sight in drawers and cupboards.
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF E-WASTE?
E-waste poses several significant challenges that impact both the environment and human health. Just think that e-waste contains several known neurotoxicants, including lead and mercury, that can disrupt the development of the central nervous system during pregnancy, infancy, childhood and adolescence. Some of these harmful toxic materials can also impact the structural development and function of the lungs. That’s alarming, but not all.
Toxic Materials
Numerous electronic devices contain harmful substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants. Improper disposal of these items can lead to toxins leaking into soil and groundwater, contaminating ecosystems and posing serious health risks to both humans and wildlife.
Resource Depletion
Environmental Pollution
Disposing of e-waste through fly-tipping, in landfills or through incineration releases harmful pollutants into the air, soil, and water. Burning e-waste can emit carcinogenic dioxins, while leaching toxic substances from landfills can contaminate natural habitats. Disposing of e-waste improperly, such as in landfills or through incineration, poses significant environmental dangers. When e-waste is dumped in landfills, toxic substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium can leach into the soil and water, contaminating natural habitats and potentially entering the food chain. This not only threatens wildlife but also human health.
Incinerating e-waste is equally hazardous, as burning electronic devices can release harmful pollutants, including carcinogenic dioxins, into the air. These chemicals can contribute to respiratory issues, cancer, and other serious health problems. Moreover, the release of these pollutants exacerbates air and water pollution, further endangering ecosystems.
Unsafe Recycling Practices
In many developing countries, e-waste is often processed by informal sectors that lack adequate safety regulations. Workers, including children, frequently dismantle devices without protective gear, exposing themselves to hazardous chemicals and jeopardizing their health.
Data Security Risks
It’s crucial to remember that discarded devices can still harbor sensitive personal information. If not properly wiped or destroyed, this data can be accessed by malicious parties, leading to identity theft or privacy violations.
HOW CAN WE MINIMISE OUR E-WASTE FOOTPRINT?
To effectively combat the dangers posed by e-waste, we must embrace a comprehensive strategy that involves individuals, communities, businesses, and governments. Reducing e-waste necessitates a transformation in both consumer habits and corporate accountability.
Extend the Lifespan of Electronics
One of the easiest ways to decrease e-waste is by maximising the use of our devices. Avoid unnecessary upgrades, and consider repairing gadgets instead of replacing them when they break down.
Recycle Responsibly
To ensure your old electronics are disposed of responsibly, always use certified e-waste recycling centres or participate in local take-back programmes offered by manufacturers and retailers.
In the UK, the Recycle Your Electricals campaign, led by Material Focus (an independent not-for-profit organization), makes it easier for everyone to reuse and recycle unwanted electrical items.
UK producers are also legally obligated, under the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations, to help reduce the number of electricals that are incinerated or sent to landfill. If you’re in the UK, you can use this handy recycling locator to find out where to recycle your old electronics.
Choose Sustainable and Repairable Devices
Select brands that prioritize sustainability in their designs. Look for products that are easily repairable, come with extended warranties, and feature modular components that can be replaced without discarding the entire device. If you’re in the UK, you can also use this repair locator to find out where to repair your old electronics.
Second-hand Markets and Donations
Before disposing of old electronics, think about donating them to charity, selling them in second-hand markets, or passing them on to friends or family. Many devices can still have a valuable life after they leave our possession. Try exploring Facebook Marketplace, CeX, Gumtree or Wallapop to see just how much choice you have.
Adopt the Circular Economy
A circular economy emphasises the reuse and recycling of products and materials, thereby reducing waste. By supporting businesses that focus on product durability and recyclability, we can help create a more sustainable ecosystem.
The truth is that in order for us to minimise our e-waste footprint, we need to adopt the reduce, reuse, recycle mentality in this field too. So, instead of buying the new editions of phones and laptops (or TVs and iPads), let’s try to care for what we have and buy second-hand and refurbished instead.
For instance, I always recycle my electronics on Back Market, an online marketplace that compensates you for the electronics value you are trading in for your new refurbished one. And believe me, those second-hand or refurbished electrics look and feel as new. If that’s not for you and you really like the feeling of holding a new phone in your hands, Apple also works with trade-in – that means you can trade in your old Apple products (whose parts will be reused or properly recycled) for your new one.
how can i get involved?
Join the activities on October 14th: Any e-waste-related awareness-raising activities are welcome. This can include social media, TV, and radio campaigns, city or school e-waste collections, or even artistic performances.
Register your organisation: All organisations sensitive to the issue of e-waste and willing to participate are invited to register here and become official participants, gaining visibility on the International E-Waste Day page. Check out this video from last year for inspiration.
take part in the the ‘e-waste hunt’ contest
As part of International E-Waste Day, the WEEE Forum is launching a social media competition to show how easy it is to properly dispose of unused electronics. Many of us have a “junk drawer” filled with old gadgets like mobile phones, cables, USB drives, and other small electronics we no longer use but can’t seem to throw away.
To participate, simply take a photo of your cluttered drawer and share how you plan to recycle, reuse, or repair the items. By doing so, you can help protect the environment and stand a chance to win a European train ticket!
Why join?
- Declutter: Clear out your unused electronics and responsibly recycle valuable materials like copper, plastics, and rare metals.
- Raise Awareness: Encourage others to properly dispose of e-waste and contribute to a more sustainable, circular economy.
- Win a Prize: Enter for a chance to win a 7-day European rail pass and explore the continent in an eco-friendly way.
This challenge is a simple, fun way to help protect the planet and support sustainable resource use! Find out more on how to participate here.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF RECYCLING E-WASTE?
As I previously mentioned, proper recycling is essential for stopping e-waste from harming our environment (and us too). So, if we find proper recycling centres to dispose of our electricals, then we can safely say we are helping towards:
Conserving Natural Resources
Recycling recovers valuable materials such as metals, plastics, and glass, which can be reused in the production of new items, whether electrical or not. This process minimises the need for raw material extraction, thereby reducing the environmental toll of mining and preserving resources.
Reducing Environmental Impact
Responsible recycling ensures the safe extraction and disposal of toxic chemicals found in electronic devices, preventing them from contaminating air, water, and soil. This practice helps safeguard ecosystems and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Preventing Health Hazards
By ensuring e-waste is managed in certified recycling facilities, we protect workers and communities from hazardous material exposure. Safe recycling practices mitigate the risks of diseases and long-term health issues related to toxic substances.
Supporting Innovation
Recycling decreases the demand for raw materials, encouraging innovation in product design. As we confront resource limitations, businesses are incentivised to create new technologies that are more sustainable, efficient, and easier to recycle. Recycling your electricals does just that.
and finally.....
International E-Waste Day 2024 signifies more than just a date on the calendar; it embodies a movement toward a more sustainable and responsible use of technology. Consumers, businesses, and governments each have a vital role to play in tackling the escalating e-waste crisis. By making deliberate decisions—such as prolonging the lifespan of our electronics, recycling properly, and supporting sustainable practices—we can help lessen the environmental and health effects of e-waste.
On October 14th, let’s all come together and take proactive steps to address the e-waste issue. United, we can protect our planet, preserve its resources, and create a future where technology and sustainability thrive side by side.