Waste from discarded electronics will rise dramatically in the developing world within a decade, with computer waste in India alone to grow by 500 percent from 2007 levels by 2020, according to a U.N. Study.
E-waste, a term describing electronics including phones, printers, televisions, refrigerators and other appliances--grows globally by 40 million metric tones a year. Toxins are emitted when it is improperly burned by scavengers looking for valuable components, such as copper and gold.
A report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) predicted that by 2020, e-waste from computers would grow by up to 400 percent from 2007 levels in China and South Africa. This report gives new urgency to establishing ambitious, formal and regulated processes for collecting and managing e-waste via the setting up of large, efficient facilities in China. China is not alone in facing a serious challenge. India, Brazil, Mexico and others may also face rising environmental damage and health problems if e-waste recycling is left to the vagaries of the informal sector
The United States is the biggest producer of e-waste, creating around 3 million metric tons a year. Close behind is China, which produces around 2.3 million metric tons domestically and is where a lot of the developed world's e-waste is sent. The mobile phone waste in China would be about seven times higher than 2007 levels by 2020, while in India it would be about 18 times higher.
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