Context

• According to the new report ‘The Global E-Waste Monitor 2024’ released by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 62 million tonnes of electronic waste is being generated annually globally. 
• This waste has increased by 82 percent since 2010.

Key Points

• The United Nations has also indicated in its report that if this electronic waste continues to increase in this manner, it may increase by 32 percent to reach 82 million tons by 2030.
• According to statistics, the annual production of e-waste is increasing at the rate of 23 lakh tonnes per year.
• According to the report, Europe, Oceania and America generated the most electronic waste per capita in 2022.
• Europe leads in this waste at 17.6 kg per person.
• After this, Oceania generated 16.1 kg of waste per capita and America 14.1 kg.
• It is noteworthy that the rate of recycling of electronic waste is not increasing at the same pace as it is increasing in the world.
• According to the report, only 22.3 percent of this e-waste generated in 2022 was officially collected and recycled.

About e-waste

• When computers and other related equipment and household appliances like TV, washing machine and fridge and cameras, mobile phones and other related products are out of use/use, they are jointly known as e-waste. 
• Due to increasing digitalization, there has been a substantial increase in e-waste.
• The biggest problem is its non-scientific disposal which makes soil, water and air poisonous.

Sources of e-waste

• Home appliances,
• Mobile phones and other related products,
• Toys,
• Microwave oven,
• Vacuum cleaner
• E - cigarette
• Tubelight, Bulb, CFL etc.

Negative Impact On The Environment

• This report also states that not proper disposal and management of this e-waste is having a deep impact on the environment and health.
• Along with increasing emissions, it is releasing about 58 thousand kilograms of mercury and 45 million kilograms of plastic containing brominated flame retardants into the environment every year.

Need for management

• In view of the above data, if effective management and disposal of this electronic waste is done, then the increasing pressure on the environment can be reduced.
• Along with this, it can also help in reducing the increasing emissions at the global level.

E-waste and Health

• E-waste contains many toxic elements like mercury, cadmium and chromium, whose unsafe disposal methods affect human health and cause various diseases.
• E-waste in landfills contaminates soil and groundwater, increasing the risk of pollutants in food supply systems and water sources.

Efforts made in the field of e-waste in India

• E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022
• Formalizing e-waste collection
• E-waste tax credit for manufacturers
• E-waste ATM
• E-Waste Tracking and Certification