Discarded electronic equipment (phones, laptops, fridges, sensors, TVs etc.) contain substances that pose considerable environmental and health risks, especially if treated inadequately. Most e-waste is not treated through appropriate recycling chains and methods. At the same time, e-waste streams challenge the efforts towards a circular economy as valuable and scarce resources are wasted.

The recently released Global E-waste Monitor 2017 provided the most comprehensive overview of global e-waste statistics and an unprecedented level of detail, including an overview of the magnitude of the e-waste problem in different regions.

Definition : Electronic waste, or e-waste, refers to all items of electrical and electronical equipment (EEE) and its part that have been discarded by its owners as waste without the intent of re-use.

The report highlights the need for a better e-waste data and information for policymakers to track progress, identify the need for action, and to achieve sustainable development, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

What can cities do about it? Read about Malmö, the Swedish city procuring environmentally-labelled IT equipments at http://bit.ly/2mfE30c

Access the full report on the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) website at https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Climate-Change/Pages/Global-E-waste-Monitor-2017.aspx.