According to the latest report from the United Nations, waste from used electronic devices is valued at over $9.5 billion due to the fundamental raw materials which can be recycled.
Yearly waste, exceeding nine billion kilograms, incorporates items such as toys, cables, e-cigarettes, tools, electric toothbrushes, razors, headphones, and other household appliances. These items contain essential metals like lithium, gold, silver, and copper, as noted in the report.
However, these materials are heading to waste as they are not being recycled, reports the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
While Europe boasts an e-waste recycling rate of 55%, the global average plunges to around 17%. Furthermore, the percentage drops to nearly zero in parts of South America, Asia, and Africa, often due to the absence of waste collection centres, highlight experts at the Forum for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment.