E-waste Recycling- Data Insights, Trends & Opportunities!!

E-waste Recycling- Data Insights, Trends & Opportunities!!

Editorial Note:

Electronic waste (e-waste) from electronic, electrical, and IT sectors poses a significant environmental concern globally. Technological advancements result in rapid obsolescence of electronic devices, leading to increased toxic e-waste. Developed and developing countries face challenges in disposing and recycling e-waste, with developed nations sometimes dumping it in other countries. Improper e-waste management can harm the environment and human health.

Electronic waste—any product with a plug or battery—contains hazardous components like mercury and poses serious environmental and health dangers. E-waste is rising rapidly due to greater consumer demand, limited repairability, shorter product lifespans, and inadequate recycling infrastructure.

Electronic waste (e-waste) #recycling is crucial in influencing policy choices, investment plans, and technological progress for various reasons such as:

  • By preventing hazardous materials from contaminating soil and water
  • Resource recovery by extracting valuable materials like gold and copper.
  • Waste reduction by diverting electronics from landfills.
  • Energy savings through reduced energy consumption compared to raw material extraction.
  • Job creation and economic development in recycling and green technology sectors
  • Policy frameworks and investment opportunities to support effective e-waste management.
  • Technological advancements driving innovation in e-waste recycling processes.

Latest news and trends:

  • Government to introduce platform for trading e-waste responsibility certificates.

EPR policy holds producers accountable for recycling products, aiming to promote eco-friendly product design and reduce waste and pollution. Companies can meet waste management obligations by managing their waste or buying EPR certificates. This aim to improve transparency, efficiency, and compliance with guidelines. The platform will operate under Central Government regulations based on CPCB recommendations.

  • Humanity generated e-waste projected to reach 82 billion kilograms by 2030.

As per UN, the world generated 62 billion kg of e-waste in 2022, projected to reach 82 billion kg by 2030. The Global E-waste Monitor 2024 emphasizes prevention as the best solution. E-waste generation surpasses recycling due to technology advancements, consumption, limited repairs, short product lifecycles, electronification, and insufficient recycling infrastructure.

Approximately 16 billion kg is recycled in high-income countries, 18 billion kg informally in low-income countries, and 14 billion kg is likely disposed of in landfills.

As the worldwide e-waste situation worsens, rapid action is needed. Without considerable recycling advances and a global drive toward sustainable production and consumption, the world faces major environmental issues.

  • Haryana and Uttarakhand lead e-waste recycling in India.

India managed to collect and dismantle only one-third of the e-waste produced in FY22. Haryana and Uttarakhand contributed to 56% of the total in FY22. As per CPCB, e-waste generated from 21 types of electronic equipment increased to 16,01,155 Tonnes in FY22 from 13,46,496 Tonnes in FY21. This amount is relatively low compared to other global economies. In FY22, Haryana led in e-waste collection with 245,016 Tonnes, followed by other states.

  • Getting Ready to Take on the Solar Waste Recycling Challenge in India

By the end of February of this year, India's total solar energy capacity has surpassed 75 Gigawatts (GW), according to the most recent report from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). Within the next three decades, the nation is projected to require a total solar capacity of 292 gigawatts (GW) by the year 2030. In addition to adding solar power to the Indian grid, the country is expected to generate a million Tonnes of solar garbage. Due to the 25-year lifespan of most solar installations, premature retirement of many modules to be replaced by higher-efficiency modules may hasten the waste issue. Depending on essential mineral prices, the worldwide solar recycling business, estimated at $250 million this year, might reach $2 billion by 2032.

Brief Global Insights on E-waste:

Approximately $62 billion in recoverable elements including iron, copper, and gold enter e-waste landfills annually. E-waste will climb 33 percent by 2030, while recycling may drop to 20%. The graph below shows this growth: purple is market EEE, black is e-waste, and green is recycled.

Read more on: https://tinyurl.com/4mvm37w2

Why E-waste is so critical in clean energy transition?

E-waste holds precious and base metals like copper, gold, silver, nickel, palladium, and rare earth elements (REEs). By recycling e-waste, we can reclaim these valuable resources, lessening the dependence on new material extraction. This conservation of resources is crucial for advancing the development of eco-friendly technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicle batteries.

Amazing facts on “Nickel”:

Do you know?

  • Nickel is the 2nd most abundant element in the Earth's core.
  • Nickel is one of the most common skin allergens.
  • Nickel is added to glass to give it a green color.

?Nickel’s industrial applications:

  • Nickel is a vital element in batteries, wind turbines, solar cells, bioenergy plants, carbon capture and storage equipment, and nuclear power.
  • Nickel is great for energy storage systems and renewable energy.
  • Most Lithium-ion batteries currently depend on nickel.
  • Nickel is used in electronic components and connectors due to its excellent conductivity and resistance to corrosion. It is employed in applications such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), connectors, switches etc contributing to the reliability and performance of electronic devices.

(Source- Nickel Institute)

Challenges:

  • Resource depletion, declining ore grades
  • Environmental impacts associated with traditional nickel mining and extraction.
  • Social challenges associated with nickel mining, including habitat destruction, water pollution, and community displacement.

Opportunities Ahead:

Fostering collaboration among stakeholders from various industries, governments, and academia is essential for driving innovation, advocating responsible sourcing, and navigating the challenges presented by the changing nickel landscape.

Global Data and Trends:

Electronic waste rising 5 times faster than the documented e-waste recycling (As per UNITAR)

(Source- Global e-waste monitor 2024)

E-waste Generation and Collection- Continent Wise:

(Source- Global e-waste monitor 2024)

Resource Recommendations- (Knowledge Resource):

www.unitar.org

www.ourworldindata.org

www.earth.org

www.downtoearth.org.in

www.weforum.org

www.ewastemonitor.info

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?Feel free to share your comments and feedback on this newsletter. The more we engage on this emerging e-waste challenges, the better we can manage this and make this world a beautiful place to live in

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?Happy reading!!!

?

With Care!

From Recycle Karo Team!!


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