Global E-waste and a Circular Economy Potential

Highlights of the Global E-waste Monitor 2020

The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 is a collaborative effort of the Sustainable Cycles (SCYCLE) Programme currently co-hosted by the United Nations University (UNU) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA). In 2017, these organisations formed the  Global E-waste Statistics Partnership (GESP)  which has now published the third edition of The Global E-waste Monitor.

The GESP helps build national and regional capacity in countries for the collect of e-waste data in an international standardised way, and ensures that it is publicly available via its global e-waste database. The Partnership also brings together policy makers, statisticians, and industry representatives to enhance quality, understanding and interpretation of e-waste data.

The report highlights the pressing issue of e-waste management in today's digitally connected world. It shows that the way we produce, consume, and dispose of electronic devices has become unsustainable. The report serves as a valuable resource for governments to improve their e-waste recycling rate. It highlights the importance of developing the necessary e-waste policies and legislation, and of adopting the internationally recognized methodological framework to measure and monitor e-waste.

Dr. Kees Baldé, an author of the Global E-waste Monitor, tells us why it is important to raise global awareness of e-waste.

This StoryMap summarizes the work of the Global E-waste Monitor 2020. How to cite the presentation: Forti V., Baldé C.P., Kuehr R., Bel G. The Global E-waste Monitor 2020: Quantities, flows and the circular economy potential. United Nations University (UNU)/United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) – co-hosted SCYCLE Programme, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) & International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), Bonn/Geneva/Rotterdam

For more information about the Global E-waste Monitor 2020,  view the publication . For enquiries, please contact the corresponding author C.P. Baldé via scycle@unitar.org.

The designations employed and the presentation of material on the maps and infographics do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of ITU and of the Secretariat of the ITU concerning the legal status of the country, territory, city or area or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

ArcGIS StoryMap Author:

Rosie McDonald (ITU)

Global E-waste Monitor 2020 Authors:

Vanessa Forti, Kees Baldé, Ruediger Kuehr (UNU/UNITAR SCYCLE)

Illustrations©:

UNU/UNITAR SCYCLE - Nienke Haccoû

Photos©:

UNU/UNITAR SCYCLE - Yassyn Sidki

UN Base Map

The base maps are based on the UNmap database of the United Nations Cartographic Section. The UNmap is prepared at a scale of 1:1,000,000. UNmap is being updated on a continuous basis.

The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 is a collaborative effort of the Sustainable Cycles (SCYCLE) Programme currently co-hosted by the United Nations University (UNU) and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA). In 2017, these organisations formed the  Global E-waste Statistics Partnership (GESP)  which has now published the third edition of The Global E-waste Monitor.