A term that loosely defines the consumer and business electronic equipment that is near or at the end of its useful life, e-waste includes computers, televisions, phones, stereos, copiers and other electronic products. While some e-waste is recycled or refurbished, the rest of it winds up in the world’s landfills.
The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 says the amount of e-waste created on a global basis has increased by 21% over the last five years. The world generated a record 53.6 million metric tons (Mt) of old electronic equipment in 2019 alone, it says, and is on track to throw out another 81 tons by 2030.
