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The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations (UN)-system entities.
Contents There is also an opportunity to build a more circular electronics system, one in which resources are not extracted, used and wasted, but valued and re-used in ways that create decent, sustainable jobs.
It is uncommon to throw away gold, silver or platinum jewellery, but that is not true of electronic and electrical goods containing the same precious metals; up to 7% of the world’s gold may currently be contained in e-waste.
Recycling of valuable elements contained in e-waste, such as copper and gold, has become a source of income, mostly in the informal sector of developing countries.
The latest forecasts show that e-waste is worth $62.5 billion annually, which is more than the GDP of most countries.
There is also an incentive to keep the value in products for as long as possible, extend the life of devices, repair them when necessary, eliminate waste and reduce the impact that electronic products have on the environment.
