The Global E-Waste Monitor reports, published every four years, are invaluable tools for understanding the scale of electronic waste (e-waste) worldwide. The 2020 report shed light on critical issues surrounding the generation, handling, and recycling of e-waste. Four years later, the 2024 report provides a deeper dive into the growing challenges—and opportunities—in managing e-waste.
So, what’s changed? How far have we come since 2020? And what steps do we need to take next? Let’s unpack the key updates and insights from the latest 2024 report compared to its predecessor.
The 2020 report highlighted that 53.6 million metric tonnes (Mt) of e-waste were generated globally in 2019, and this figure was projected to reach 74.7 Mt by 2030. However, the 2024 report reveals that this estimate is growing even faster than expected. The current annual global e-waste generation now exceeds 60 million Mt, putting us well on track to hit—or even surpass—those earlier projections.
This growth is largely attributed to:
In 2020, only 17.4% of e-waste was officially documented as collected and recycled. While the 2024 report indicates modest improvements, the global recycling rate remains critically low at 21%. This means nearly 80% of e-waste is still unaccounted for, often ending up in landfills or informal recycling sectors, particularly in low-income regions.
The 2020 report emphasised the environmental toll of e-waste, including the loss of valuable materials and contamination risks. The 2024 update paints a grimmer picture:
Despite efforts to raise awareness about the "circular economy," many countries are struggling to implement scalable solutions to reduce the environmental impact of e-waste.
The 2024 report highlights promising progress in some regions. For instance:
The 2024 report highlights the rapid increase in devices with embedded lithium-ion batteries, such as smartphones, vapes, and power tools. These batteries are a major fire risk when improperly handled or disposed of in kerbside bins. Fires in recycling facilities and waste trucks are on the rise globally, creating new challenges for the waste management industry.
Technological advancements in AI, robotics, and automated sorting are highlighted as key tools for improving e-waste recycling efficiency. These innovations are making it easier to identify and recover valuable materials like gold, copper, and rare earth metals from discarded electronics.
Despite international efforts to integrate informal recyclers into formal systems, the informal sector continues to handle a large portion of e-waste in developing countries. This sector, while cost-effective, often relies on unsafe methods like open burning and acid leaching, contributing to environmental damage and human health risks.
The 2024 Global E-Waste Monitor lays out several urgent recommendations:
At ReSource, we’re committed to being part of the solution. Our initiatives include:
The Global E-Waste Monitor 2024 makes it clear: the e-waste crisis is growing, but so are the opportunities to address it. While progress has been made, the world still has a long way to go in creating sustainable systems for managing our electronic waste.
By working together—governments, businesses, and individuals—we can build a circular economy that turns waste into a resource and protects our planet for future generations. Ready to join the movement? Let’s tackle the e-waste challenge together!
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