Global e-waste reached 53.6 million metric tons in 2022, with only 17.4% recycled. This article explores the environmental toll and emerging circular economy strategies.
Key Sections
- Critical Metals Shortages: A single smartphone contains 30mg of gold, but recycling rates remain below 5%.
- Blockchain Innovations: Fairphone uses distributed ledgers to track cobalt from mines to factories, reducing child labor risks.
- Legislative Progress: The EU’s Digital Product Passport mandates product recyclability data, while California’s SB-25 bans single-use electronics by 2030.
- Technological Solutions: IBM’s AI-driven “E-Waste Detective” identifies reusable components with 95% accuracy.
Conclusion
Achieving a 70% e-waste recycling rate by 2030 requires $24 billion in annual investment, creating 15 million green jobs globally.
