Here are a few interesting statistics on e-waste production and management from the United Nations's Sustainable Cycles (SCYCLE) Programme:
E-waste globally
"E-waste is the fastest growing domestic waste stream in the world."
"The global amount of e-waste grew by 9.2 Mt between 2014 and 2019."
"On average, every person in the world generated 7.3 kg of e-waste in 2019."
“Only 17.4% of global e-waste generated in 2019 was documented to be collected and properly recycled.”
"The fate of 82.6% of e-waste generated is uncertain, it is either incinerated, ends up in landfills, is stored in households, or recycled in informal operations."
E-waste in Europe
In Europe, a total of 12013kt (or 16.2kg per capita) of e-waste was generated in 2019.
In 2017, 43% or 5106kt of the e-waste produced in Europe was formally collected.
"Europe ranked first worldwide in terms of e-waste generation per capita: 16.2 kg per capita. However, Europe has the highest [overall] e-waste collection and recycling rate (5%)."
E-waste in the Americas
In the Americas, a total of 13120kt (or 13.3kg per capita) of e-waste was generated in 2019.
In 2016, 9% or 1228kt of the e-waste produced in the Americas was formally collected.
"E-waste generation in Latin America increased by 49%, from 0.9 Mt (4.7 kg/inh) in 2010 to 1.3 Mt (6.7 kg/inh) in 2019."
E-waste in Asia
In Asia, a total of 24896kt (or 5.6kg per capita) of e-waste was generated in 2019.
In 2016, 12% or 2921kt of the e-waste produced in Asia was formally collected.
"Asia generated the highest quantity of e-waste in 2019 at 24.9 Mt with a formal collection and recycling rate of only 11.7%."
E-waste in Africa
In Africa, a total of 2905kt (or 2.5kg per capita) of e-waste was generated in 2019.
In 2016, 1% or 26kt of the e-waste produced in Africa was formally collected.
"Africa generates the least amount of e-waste per capita at 2.5 kg. However, environmentally sound recycling infrastructure and e-waste legislation are mostly absent."
"In West Asia, 99.9% of e-waste is mismanaged in 2023 and this could double by 2050."
E-waste in Oceania
In Oceania, a total of 667kt (or 16.1kg per capita) of e-waste was generated in 2019.
In 2018, 9% or 59kt of the e-waste produced in Oceania was formally collected.
Global E-Waste Monitor
The Sustainable Cycles (SCYCLE) Programme at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) collects and reports on data on global, regional and national e-waste production and movements through the Global E-Waste Monitor:
Global E-waste Statistics Partnership
The Global E-waste Statistics Partnership, which consists of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), United Nations University – Sustainable Cycles (UNU-SCYCLE) and the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), also collects and reports on data on global, regional and national e-waste production and movements:
