|CA

UNU’s latest Global E-waste Monitor claims a loss of materials valued at 55 billion EURO due to insufficient e-waste management

February 5, 2018

Although e-waste management has made its way to most of the world’s governments’ agendas, the latest report from the United Nations University (UNU) on global waste volumes from electronic and electric products and their treatment unveils continuous shortfalls all over the world. 

Expectably, e-waste volumes generated are still on the rise and reported at almost 45 million tons in 2016 on a global scale. Based on a growth estimated at 3 to 4% per year, forecasts for 2021 assume a total amount of 51,2 million tons of e-waste worldwide.  
Only 20% of the volume generated in 2016 has been reliably reported as professionally recycled, another 4% was found in residual waste, mostly in richer countries. Sadly, the fate of the predominant majority of the material (76%) remains unknown. Possible options are landfill, subject to scrap dealing or substandard recycling.  

After the latest inception of relevant laws in India and other countries, e-waste management is now legally framed in 67 countries in the world, covering 66% of the world’s population. However, the effectiveness of those laws varies tremendously depending on implementation and enforcement. 

Looking at the consequences, the UNU analysis does not only highlight negative impacts on the environment. The report also estimates an accumulated financial loss of around 55 billion Euros per year because materials are not sufficiently recovered and often not recycled according to up-to-date standards. 

The full report is available for download here >

Latest news

RLG Partners with Circular Materials to Drive Ontario's Circular Economy with Common Collection System

Background Ontario's circular economy is taking a massive leap forward. As a global leader, Reverse Logistics Group (RLG) was awarded the operating contract for Ontario's Common Collection System (CCS), providing producers with a full compliance service. This innovative and dynamic collaboration with Circular Materials (CMO) will bring a full Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) infrastructure under […]

Read More
RLG, The Battery PRO

RLG Canada has registered as a batteries Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) in Ontario with the Resource Productivity and Recovery Authority. As a global provider, RLG offers expert compliance solutions to satisfy battery recycling services in compliance with Ontario requirements. Service Quality AssuranceRLG’s services operate on quality and integrity. We work directly with RPRA registered recyclers […]

Read More
Reconomy Group acquires RENE AG to expand global WEEE and environmental compliance offering

Reconomy Group company, Reverse Logistics GmbH (RLG) is taking over RENE AG, a German service company for compliance solutions in the field of recycling management / WEEE that has been established since 2005, with retrospective effect from January 1st, 2022 The takeover fits Reconomy Group’s strategy as an asset light company to further expand its […]

Read More
BACK TO MAIN NEWS
menucross-circle linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram