We Produced a Record 41.8 Million Tonnes of E-Waste in 2014

[Karamjit]

Interestingly, it was the countries that claim to be eco-friendly that produced the most electrical and electronic waste

According to a new study authored by researchers with the United Nations University, the world produced a record 41.8 million tonnes of electronic and electrical waste back in 2014.

By comparison, the year 2013 saw about 39.8 million tonnes of e-waste being produced on a global scale. As it turns out, we're not really making progress when it comes to learning how to be more eco-friendly.

Just to put things into perspective, the United Nations University scientists say that the 41.8 million tonnes of e-waste we produced are the equivalent of 1.15 million heavy trucks all piled up together.

Oddly enough, it looks like it was countries that like to brag about being environmentally friendly that coughed out the most electrical and electronic waste in 2014.

The researchers' black list was topped by Norway, with 28.4 kilograms (62.5 pounds) per inhabitant. The country was followed by Switzerland, Iceland, Denmark, the UK, the Netherlands, Sweden, France, the US, and Austria.

Of the e-waste produced on a global scale in 2014, household appliances such as washing machines accounted for 60%. Mobile phones, computers and other information technology equipment accounted for merely 7%.

Apart from loads of toxic compounds, the e-waste we produced in 2014 contained about $52 billion (€48 billion) worth of potentially recoverable resources. So, yeah, maybe we shouldn't have been so quick to throw our old appliances away.

From: http://news.softpedia.com/news/We-Produced-a-Record-41-8-Million-Tonnes-of-E-Waste-in-2014-478853.shtml

Complete Story: http://unu.edu/media-relations/releases/discarded-kitchen-laundry-bathroom-equipment-comprises-over-half-of-world-e-waste-unu-report.html#info

[Chancer]

I wonder if that takes account of what is recycled, its only waste if it doesn't get used again.