Electrical Waste (Global Market) Electronic Waste

2023: The global e-waste market grew by nearly 8% over the year to reach $73.52 billion

In 2023, the cost of disposing of electronic waste on a global scale reached $73.52 billion. This is almost 8% more compared to 2022, when expenses in the relevant area were estimated at $68.25 billion. In the future, this segment will continue to steadily expand, as stated in the Market Research Future review, published at the end of October 2024.

The authors of the study call the rapid development of technologies one of the market drivers. In particular, the consumer electronics sector is characterized by the regular emergence of advanced products, which leads to an acceleration in the pace of renewal of equipment in operation. Smartphones, laptops and TVs are rapidly becoming obsolete, which is increasing the volume of electronic waste. At the same time, the growing awareness of consumers about environmental problems stimulates the responsible disposal of electronics. Plus, governments and regulators around the world are implementing strict rules and policies to ensure unnecessary machinery is properly disposed of and recycled.

Advances in technology not only lead to an increase in the number of electronic devices, but also increase the efficiency of processing processes. New recycling methods allow more valuable materials and raw materials (metals and rare earths) to be extracted from discarded electronics. This approach reduces reliance on resources and also helps solve waste management problems. The proliferation of smart devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) is expected to further increase the volume of e-waste, thereby driving the expansion of the recycling market.

By the type of electronic waste, the industry is segmented into household appliances, consumer electronics, IT equipment and telecommunications equipment. In 2023, consumer electronics made the most significant contribution to total spending - about $25 billion: this category dominates due to rapid technological progress and high demand for the latest gadgets. This is followed by the household appliances sector with expenses at the level of $20 billion. Utilization of IT equipment provided $15 billion, telecommunications equipment - $13.52 billion. Analysts point to the desire of enterprises and organizations to modernize their technological infrastructure, which leads to the creation of large amounts of electronic waste.

Major disposal methods include recycling, burial, incineration and remediation. Recycling occupies a significant share, since it partially conserves natural resources and mitigates environmental pollution. Burial remains a common practice in regions where proper waste management infrastructure is lacking. Incineration provides an alternative by reducing waste but raises emissions concerns. Meanwhile, the recovery segment is gaining momentum as this method provides the possibility of reusing electronic equipment, which extends the life of the equipment. Among the leading players in the industry are:

• Veolia;
• Goods 2.0;
• Sacyr;
• Electronics Recycling International;
• Sims Limited;
• Cimelia;
• EParisara;
• Global Electronic Recycling;
• EnviroHub Holdings;
• Kobexler;
• Waste Management;
• Umicore;
• Arrow Electronics;
• Electronic Waste Recycling.

From a geographical point of view, the leader in 2023 was the Asia-Pacific region with $25 billion. This is followed by North America and Europe with $20 billion and $18 billion, respectively. South America accounted for $6 billion, while the Middle East and Africa contributed $4.52 billion. By 2032, the total costs in the global e-waste disposal market are expected to reach $143.5 billion.^[1]

2021

Russia ranked 30th in terms of electronic waste in Europe

Russia ranked 30th in terms of electronic waste in Europe. This is evidenced by the data released in November 2021 by the British company Clear It Waste Removal, which specializes in garbage disposal.

The first place in the compiled list was taken by Norway, where there are about 57 kg of electronic waste per household per year. That's about the equivalents of six microwave ovens. The indicator in Russia is 29.4 kg, which is less than, for example, Germany (40.7 kg) and France (46.2 kg), but more in comparison with Belarus (23.3 kg) and Ukraine (19.3 kg).

Russia ranked 30th in terms of electronic waste in Europe

The study notes that the total amount of electronic waste in Britain could potentially be 1 529 000 000 kg - the equivalent weight of 1,274 London double-decker buses,

One of the most popular Christmas gifts will be electronic goods, this will lead to the discard of old models of smartphones, TVs and computers, which will exacerbate the growing problem of electronic waste, the authors of the report point out.

As part of the international forum on the management of waste of electric and electronic devices (The WEEE Forum), scientists conducted a study and found that the amount of garbage from gadgets around the world is growing rapidly. Experts estimated the electronics discarded in 2021 at 57.4 million tons and compared it by weight with the Great Wall of China.

According to the researchers, a significant amount of metal, plastic and precious mineral resources are rarely recycled - usually spare parts of devices are burned or sent to landfills. Scientists are calling for such an approach to be abandoned in favor of repairing machinery and recycling components in order to reduce the need for new resources and reduce the carbon footprint - for every ton of waste there are two tons of carbon dioxide emissions.^{[2] [3]}

Mining bitcoins forms 30.7 thousand tons of electronic garbage per year

In mid-September 2021, economists from the central bank Netherlands , in cooperation with specialists Massachusetts Institute of Technology , found out that one bitcoin transaction leads to the formation of the same amount of electronic garbage as the disposal of two. iPhone More. here

Biden approves strategy to dispose of electric vehicle batteries

In early June 2021, US President Joe Biden approved a strategy for recycling electric vehicle batteries. It is assumed that the decommissioned batteries will be recycled for the purpose of extracting and reusing lithium and other metals. Read more here.

2020: Launch of Hydrogen-Assisted HDD Recycling System

On September 18, 2020, it became known about the creation in Russia of a technology for the complete processing of computer hard drives. It was developed by Roselectronics engineers, who found a way to completely recycle magnets from HDD using hydrogen treatment, and then synthesize new magnets from the obtained hydrides. Read more here.

2019: E-waste volume up 21% to hit record levels

In 2019, the volume of electronic waste increased by 21% to 53.6 million tons, according to a report by the UN Global Monitoring of Electronic Waste. This is equivalent to 7.3 kg of discarded household appliances and gadgets for each inhabitant of the planet. If current trends continue, then by 2030 the volume of global e-waste will grow to 74 metric tons - that is, the value will double over the past 16 years.

Vanessa Forti from the United Nations University and her colleagues report in a new report that the amount of electronic waste in 2019 has reached record levels, the mass of discarded equipment already exceeds the total weight of the entire adult population in Europe. Asia produced the largest amount of waste - 24.9 million tons; followed by North and South America (13.1 million tons) and Europe (12 million tons); and the last positions are occupied by Africa and Oceania (2.9 and 0.7 million tons). However, in terms of per capita, the picture looks different: Europe (16.2 kg) and Oceania (16.1 kg) are leading here, and Asia ranks penultimate (5.6 kg).

E-waste production in different years

Approximately 17.4 million tons were accounted for by small equipment such as vacuum cleaners, cameras or fans. About 13.1 million tons amounted to larger equipment, including stoves and washing machines. 10.8 million tons of cooling and heating equipment, 6.7 million tons of monitors and screens, 4.7 million tons of small IT and telecommunications equipment and 0.9 million tons of lamps were also thrown out.

At the same time, only 17.4% of electronic waste was collected and recycled. This means that gold, silver, copper, platinum and other expensive materials, the cost of which the researchers estimated at $57 billion, were discarded or burned, although they could be extracted for reuse[1]The Global E-waste Monitor 2020

Electronic waste is a threat to human health and the environment because it contains toxic additives and dangerous substances such as mercury, which has a negative effect on the human brain and/or its vestibular apparatus, experts say.

The report notes that the weight of electronic waste discarded in 2019 significantly exceeded the weight of the entire adult population in Europe or was equal to the weight of 350 Queen Mary 2 cruise ships, of which a 125 km line can be made up.

Since 2014, the total weight indicators have increased the fastest: heat exchange equipment (+ 7% by 2019), equipment of large sizes (+ 5%), lamps and equipment of small sizes (+ 4%). According to the report, this trend is driven by rising consumption of these products in lower income countries where these products increase living standards. Indicators for small IT and telecommunication equipment increased more slowly, and there was a slight decrease (− 1%) in screens and monitors, mainly due to the fact that lighter flat panel displays replace heavy monitors and cathode ray tube (CRT) screens.

Much more e-waste is produced in most parts of the world than is safely disposed of. More joint efforts are required to raise awareness of this growing problem and to take appropriate measures that are complemented by appropriate research and training, "said Nikhil Seth, Executive Director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR[4][5]

2016: Release of 44.7 million tons of electronic waste

In December 2017, it became known that in 2016 the volume of electronic garbage in the world increased by 8% compared to 2014 and reached 44.7 million tons. This is reported in a report prepared by the International Telecommunication Union (International Telecommunication Union) and the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA).

To understand how threatening the problem is taking, the ONN noted that the electronic garbage discarded in 2016 - failed mobile phones, laptops, refrigerators and other equipment - is equivalent in weight to 4.5 thousand. Eiffel Towers. Moreover, in the future the situation will worsen: it is expected that by 2021 52.2 million tons of electronic waste, which pose a threat to human health and the environment, will be emitted in the world.

Assessment and forecast of e-waste release

In 2016, Asia generated the most electronic garbage - 18.2 million tons. In second place is Europe - 12.3 million tons, followed by North and South America (11.3 million tons), Africa (2.2 million tons) and Oceania (0.7 million tons). Although Oceania closes the list, it has the highest e-garbage production per capita - 17.3 kg per person (world average - 6.1 kg). Slightly lower is the figure in Europe - 16.6 kg, in the Americas - 11.6 kg, in Asia - 4.2 kg, in Africa - 1.9 kg.

It follows from the report that most of all in 2016 small electronics and large equipment were thrown out - 16.8 and 9.1 million tons. Heat exchange equipment (air conditioners, refrigerators) accounted for 7.6 million tons, displays - 6.6 million tons, small electronics and electric lamps - 3.9 and 0.7 million tons.^[6]

The organization expressed concern that in 2016 only 20% of electronic scrap, or 8.9 million tons, was properly recycled, and the rest ended up in landfills or incinerators.

Electronics contain valuable metals such as gold, silver, copper, platinum and others. In 2016, the cost of such materials not extracted from discarded electronics amounted to $55 billion^[7]

2014

In 2014, the global volume of electronic and electrical waste reached a record level of 41.8 million, writes The Guardian, citing a UN report^[8]

As noted, the largest per capita indicator is registered in those countries that position themselves as environmentally responsible.

Most of the rubbish is made up of refrigerators, washing machines and other household appliances, the report said. The report notes that this volume of waste can be compared with 1.15 million heavy trucks standing in a line 23 thousand km long.

Less than one-sixth of all electrical waste is disposed of according to the rules.

According to the organization, he tops the list with the largest indicator of electronic garbage per capita, Norway followed by Switzerland Iceland,,, Denmark Great Britain Holland,,, and Sweden France USA Austria.

See also

• Incinerators of Russia
• Electronic waste in Russia
• Recycling of garbage
• Technologies in recycling
• Plastic waste

• Space debris