Source: Library of Parliament, Canada
By Maria Cooper
As the majority of the world becomes increasingly tech-oriented and dependent, more and more electronic devices are being produced. When these items become damaged, reach the end of their lifespan, or are simply unused, they become waste. E-waste, or electronic waste, refers to any discarded electrical or electronic device, from computers to coffee makers, washing machines to microwaves, and phones to printers. It is one of the fastest growing types of material waste in the world: 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced globally in 2022. Not only do we have a problem with the volume of electronic waste we are producing, but also with how it is disposed of. E-waste contains both toxic substances and precious metals, and thus should not be disposed of with regular landfill waste. However, only roughly 22.3% of the total global e-waste produced in 2022 was formally collected and recycled.
This map by the Library of the Canadian Parliament uses data from a United Nations report titled “Global Transboundary E-waste Flows Monitor 2022”. It visualises crossborder flows of e-waste from one region to another using 2019 data, distinguishing between uncontrolled movements and controlled movements (as defined under the Basel Convention). Uncontrolled movements refer to transfers of e-waste unregulated by normal processes of trade and transit. The report estimates that in 2019, around 10% of globally-produced e-waste was moved across country borders, and 65% of these movements were uncontrolled. E-waste is among the top three waste categories traded illegally, making it difficult to quantify and track. Additionally, each country has different definitions of e-waste, different regulations for waste processing, and unique requirements for hazardous waste declarations. Thus, it is likely that the real volume of uncontrolled transboundary e-waste is much higher than the report’s estimate.
The map shows an obvious north-south division. The Global South is often labelled the graveyard of the Global North’s luxury products, a saying that holds true in terms of transboundary e-waste flows. A substantial portion of e-waste is transferred from high-income regions like Europe, Australia, and North America to low- and middle-income regions like Africa, South East Asia, and South America. Almost all of these flows are classed as uncontrolled. On the other hand, e-waste that flows from Global South to North does so along regulated, controlled pathways. This imbalance reflects deeper structural inequities in global trade, where environmental and health burdens are disproportionately shifted onto countries with weaker waste management infrastructure and enforcement capacity. As a result, communities in the Global South often bear the damaging consequences of consumption patterns they did not benefit from in the first place.
Source: Library of Parliament, Canada
In 2019, 82.6% of globally generated e-waste was taken to landfills, incinerated, or informally processed. Toxic substances like lead, mercury, and flame retardants threaten the environment as they contaminate soil and groundwater. Additionally, workers need adequate training and protective equipment to safely handle and dispose of e-waste. In low- and middle-income countries, e-waste management lacks these necessary safety precautions as it is dominated by the informal sector. For people who make a living recovering precious metals from electronics dumped in landfills, there is a high risk of exposure to hundreds of toxic substances. Particularly vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and children, make up a significant portion of this workforce.
So-called “green transition metals” such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel are present in electronic waste. These minerals are used to manufacture renewable energy technologies (e.g. rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles), which are becoming increasingly sought after as the world transitions away from fossil fuels. If e-waste is formally processed, there is a greater chance these finite metals can be harvested and recycled into new products. This helps reduce the volume of new precious metals that need to be mined, and prevents them from contaminating our environment.
Source: Ghulam and Hatem (2023)
Proper management of e-waste faces a myriad of challenges. There is a lack of global harmony on how to best export, process, and collect data on e-waste. Only 81 countries (42% of the world) have developed a policy, regulation, or legislation on e-waste. Of these, just 46 adopted national e-waste collection targets. The main international treaty regulating transboundary movements of hazardous waste is the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. The Basel Convention is ratified by 189 countries, and in 2022 was amended to give e-waste special consideration, including safe disposal and transportation. However, these changes only came into effect in January this year, meaning enforcement and compliance remain uneven. Real progress will require stronger monitoring, transparency, and sanctions for violations, as well as investment in developing countries’ waste management infrastructure. Without significant changes to our current practices, the impacts of e-waste will only grow worse with time.
Sources:
Ghulam, S. T., and Abushammala, H. Challenges and Opportunities in the Management of Electronic Waste and Its Impact on Human Health and Environment. Sustainability (2023), 15(3), 1837.
Kiddee, P., Naidu, R., and Wong, M. H. Electronic waste management approaches: An overview. Waste management 33, no. 5 (2013): 1237-1250.
LOPRESPUB. Electrical and Electronic Equipment Waste (Continued): Environmental Considerations and Transboundary Movements. Library of Parliament, Canada, June 5 (2023). https://hillnotes.ca/2023/06/05/electrical-and-electronic-equipment-waste-continued-environmental-considerations-and-transboundary-movements/.
OCED. OECD countries update rules on international shipments of electronic waste. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, June 25 (2024). https://www.oecd.org/en/about/news/announcements/2024/06/oecd-countries-update-rules-on-international-shipments-of-electronic-waste.html#:~:text=The%20OECD%20has%20updated%20its%20rules%20for%20the,conformity%20with%20its%20domestic%20legislation%20and%20international%20law.
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WMW. Global e-waste flows monitor 2022. Waste Management World, July 24 (2023). https://waste-management-world.com/materials/global-e-waste-flows-monitor/.
WHO. Electronic waste (e-waste). Worldwide Health Organisation, October 1 (2024). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/electronic-waste-%28e-waste%29.