Achieving sustainability in solving the electronic waste (e-waste) problem

Abstract

Waste from used electrical and electronic equipment, commonly known as e-waste, is growing at a higher rate than the regular municipal waste streams. Global generation of e-waste in 2019 was 53.6 million tonnes. Rising demand for high technology products and their early obsolescence coupled with lack of proper end-of-life management options have all led to unsustainable management of e-waste in many countries. Recycling, design for environment, extended producer responsibility and public-private partnerships (PPPs) are some of the practices attempted by many countries to achieve sustainability in solving the e-waste problem. This paper provides an overview of the practices mentioned above.