Annual average formal collection and recycling rate of e-waste by region, 2022
UNITAR
30 Dec 2022
In 2022, Europe and Oceania led in e-waste collection and recycling rates, while Asia and Africa lagged behind significantly. This divide stems from the implementation of stringent directives in the EU, such as the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) and the Packaging & Packaging Waste Directive (PPWD). These directives set ambitious recycling targets for member states, compelling them to establish effective collection and sorting systems. Many Oceanic countries have followed suit, adopting similar policies modeled after the EU and enacting their own national regulations to promote recycling and waste reduction. Approximately 80% of e-waste from the US and many other countries is shipped to Asia. Despite being developed regions, recycling rates remain low compared to the substantial e-waste generated per capita. For instance, Europe produces an average of 17.6kg of e-waste per capita but only recycles 7.5kg per capita. In the Americas, the gap widens further: with 14.1kg of waste per capita, only 4.2kg is recycled. This underscores the pressing need for robust e-waste management infrastructure to tackle this escalating crisis.
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