Cell phones, printers, computer monitors, lamps, washers, dryers, USB sticks, batteries, televisions, ink cartridges. How often do we think of where these items end up when we dispose of them? Not too often!
According to the latest UN’s General E-Waste Monitor, in 2022, 62 billion kg of e-waste were generated globally. This means 1.55 million trucks filled with e-waste lined up along the Earth’s equator. The quantity of e-waste is expected to rise to 82 billion kg by 2030. Currently, the amount of e-waste is growing five times faster than formal recycling collection rates since 2010.
International E-Waste Day
To help tackle this global problem, every year on October 14th, International E-Waste Day is celebrated. This awareness-raising event, initiated by the WEEE Forum and its members, aims to highlight the importance of the formal and responsible management of e-waste and the solutions available to each citizen within their community. Last year, 195 companies from 55 countries took part in the celebrations by organisingorganizing events, e-waste collections, social media, and press campaigns.
This year’s edition runs under the slogan “Join the e-waste hunt – retrieve, recycle, and revive!” focusing on the unused electronics that people store in their homes without realisingrealizing these items contain valuable materials that could gain a new life. E-waste includes anything with a plug, cable, or battery, but the most often ‘forgotten’ items 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.
This year’s edition aims to inspire people to declutter their homes of unused or broken devices. By doing so, everyone can contribute to pollution reduction, resource conservation, and energy and CO2e savings.
How Canada is tackling e-waste:
Ontario’s new e-waste regulation will require producers to collect and safely manage the full lifecycle of their electrical and electronic equipment such as cell phones, computers, printers and gaming equipment. The regulation, which took effect on January 1, 2021, also promotes the reuse and refurbishment of products so they can be resold.
Making a difference to reduce e-waste
- Know a product’s life span before buying- One of the most obvious ways to reduce e-waste is to check the product’s life span before you buy it. Avoid trendy electronic products that go in and out of style quickly. Another way to reduce e-waste is to focus on products that have an environmental-friendly seal on the package. Products made from recycled materials or recyclable materials may carry various environmental seals.
- Many places now require e-waste to go to a recycler or return to the original store where the item was purchased. California, for example, now prohibits people from throwing batteries away in public trash. Find out what your state requires since laws are changing rapidly to support sustainability.
- Spread the word about e- waste: The best way to raise awareness of the environmental consequences of e-waste is to spread the information you learn about it to people in your circle. Awareness campaigns have led many people to adopt sustainable measures such as recycling.
- Maintain your current electronic equipment- Adopting sustainability as a personal or business practice goes a long way. It can help you get the most out of your electronic equipment instead of replacing items every few years. Be aware that aggressive marketing trends help accelerate the lifespans of tech products.
- Donate unwanted electronics to charities- Instead of letting an old electronic gadget sit around and collect dust, put it to good use by donating it to a charity in your community. Keep in mind that not everyone can afford the latest gadgets.
How an African social entrepreneur is addressing this menace- the story of Wastezon:
After his best friend survived a garbage landslide accident, Ghislain Irakoze, Founder and CEO of Wastezon and his team embarked on the journey of creating a waste-free world. They believe every single electronic material should get an identity, traced in the value chain and hold significance from a manufacturer to a consumer to a repairer and back to a manufacturer; forming a circular journey.
Their first approach was a single digital solution that expanded the horizons. The team partnered with their friends at Awesomity Lab to launch their first digital app solution; Wastezon 1.0, which linked Rwandan household consumers with recyclers to transact e-waste. Over 1000 users trusted us and translated over 400 tons of e-waste.
More recently, a newer approach was adopted to scale up. The Wastezon recently conducted a global market research which involved several manufacturers, consumers, and recyclers. One of the key findings and recommendations from the research was to leverage cutting-edge mineralogical laser scan technology to capture the provenance levels of products, ensuring price transparency and predicting durability. Findings also recommend a need for seamless device listings and intuitive search functionalities to secure payment options and streamlined recycling processes. The outcome led them to expand their target user base. In addition, they welcomed the expansion of our target user base to include manufacturers and institutional consumers and to household consumers and recyclers. The revamped ‘Wastezon 2.0’ solution provides materials traceability, and enables effective transaction and reverse logistics for everyone who is active in the reverse supply chain.
Be curious!
- Be an advocate for e-waste recycling! Even small acts can have a ripple effect.
- Read more on e-waste management on the United Nation website.
- Learn more about e-waste monitor and how you can reduce your carbon emissions through making informed lifestyle choices when it comes to e-waste management.
- Check out our curious archives for even more on recycling and e-waste.
Featured image by Nathan Cima via Unsplash
