Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Solutions are within reach, but they are becoming increasingly urgent for the problem of what to do with the growing number of cell phones, televisions, computers and other electronic devices and their waste. A report issued this week by Unep, the United Nations environmental body, draws a gloomy picture, but it says there is hope if action is taken quickly.

“Many developing countries face the spectre of hazardous e-waste mountains with serious consequences for the environment and public health,” according to “”Recycling – from E-Waste to Resources,” published 21 February 2010.

“One person’s waste can be another’s raw material,” says Konrad Osterwalder, of UNU (United Nations University). “The challenge of dealing with e-waste represents an important step in the transition to a green economy. This report outlines smart new technologies and mechanisms which, combined with national and international policies, can transform waste into assets, creating new businesses with decent green jobs.”

The report used data from what Unep calls 11 representative  developing countries to estimate current and future e-waste generation: old and dilapidated desk and laptop computers, printers, mobile phones, pagers, digital photo and music devices, refrigerators, toys and televisions.

China is expected to increase its e-waste seven-fold by 2020, from 2007 levels, and India 20-fold.

Much of the waste is currently improperly handled, says Unep. The report cites several examples of how the problem is growing, among them:

• Global e-waste generation is growing by about 40 million tons a year
• Manufacturing mobile phones and personal computers consumes 3 per cent of the gold and silver mined worldwide each year; 13 per cent of the palladium and 15 per cent of cobalt
• Modern electronics contain up to 60 different elements – many valuable, some hazardous, and some both
• Carbon dioxide emissions from the mining and production of copper and precious and rare metals used in electrical and electronic equipment are estimated at over 23 million tonnes – 0.1 percent of global emissions (not including emissions linked to steel, nickel or aluminum, nor those linked to manufacturing the devices)
• Globally, more than 1 billion mobile phones were sold in 2007, up from 896 million in 2006.

Full report from Unep, downloadable pdf

The report was co-authored by the Swiss EMPA, Umicore and UNU, part of the global think tank StEP (Solving the E-waste Problem), which includes UNEP and Basel Convention Secretariat.

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.