Invisible e-waste: scale, risks, and the race to recycle

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Every year a vast array of items ends up in waste streams. Unused cables, electronic toys, LED-illuminated clothing, power tools, vaping devices, and countless small consumer products collectively form a substantial portion of our discarded goods. About 9 billion kilograms of electronic waste enter the waste system annually, representing roughly one sixth of all electronic waste worldwide. Within this total, the category of invisible e-waste stands out because it contains valuable raw materials yet is often discarded without proper recycling.

This non-visible e-waste weighs the equivalent of nearly half a million 40-ton trucks. If lined up, these trucks would stretch across a 5,640-kilometer route from Rome to Nairobi, underscoring the scale of the challenge.

Devices such as electronic cigarettes carry lithium in their batteries. While lithium enables rechargeable power, it also raises fire risks at disposal. The European Commission has labeled lithium a strategic raw material essential to the European economy and the green energy transition, yet its supply faces vulnerabilities. A large share of these materials ends up in ordinary trash at home, far from proper recycling streams.

9,000 million kilos of “invisible” electronic waste is produced every year PEXILS

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Forum partnered with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to estimate annual invisible e-waste quantities. A study estimates that about 3,200 million kilos of the total invisible e-waste falls into electronic toys such as racing cars, electric trains, musical figures, talking dolls, robotic gadgets, bicycle computers, drones, and more. In total, around 7.3 billion objects are discarded every year, equating to roughly one object for every person on the planet.

844 million e-cigarette devices are discarded every year

Alongside this trend, 844 million electronic cigarette devices and 950 million kilograms of cables are tossed away annually. These materials contain copper and other valuable, easily recycled components that, if reclaimed, could have meaningful environmental and economic benefits.

Approximately 7.3 billion objects are discarded annually; that’s about one object for every person on the planet.

Many people are unaware that a large portion of these items can be recycled. They often lie idle in homes, representing a wasted resource at a moment when copper demand in Europe is forecast to rise sixfold by 2030 to support strategic sectors such as renewable energy, electric mobility, industry, communications, aerospace, and defense.

9,000 million kilos of “invisible” electronic waste is produced every year PEXILS

The global value of raw materials found in electronic waste generated in 2019 was estimated at about 54 billion euros, with iron, copper, and gold accounting for the bulk. One-sixth of the world total, worth around 9 billion euros annually, corresponds to invisible e-waste.

Other familiar examples of invisible e-waste found in households include toothbrushes, shavers, external drives and their accessories, headphones and earbuds, remote controls, speakers, LED lighting, and various small home medical devices and detectors.

Pascal Leroy, Executive Director of the WEEE Forum, notes that invisible e-waste goes unnoticed because of its appearance or because people assume it is not recyclable. This mindset masks the true recycling potential of these materials.

Hazardous components contained in electronic waste

Leroy stresses that many people do not recognize devices powered by batteries or cables, such as smoke detectors or smart thermostats, as electrical products because they lack obvious plugs. They may also be unaware of hazardous substances in e-waste, including lead, mercury, and cadmium, which can contaminate soil and water if mishandled. The takeaway is clear: dispose of electronic waste at appropriate municipal collection facilities.

55% of European electronic waste is officially collected and declared, while global collection sits around 17%.

Magdalena Charytanowicz of the WEEE Forum emphasizes that invisible e-waste often hides in plain sight. It frequently escapes recycling attention because it is not recognized as electronic waste. Raising awareness is a critical step in changing this pattern.

There has been significant progress in addressing plastic pollution, and the UN plastic agreement prepared for 2024 has helped raise awareness about electronic waste as well.

9,000 million kilos of “invisible” electronic waste is produced every year PEXILS

In Europe, two decades of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations have led to 55% of produced e-waste being collected and officially declared. Yet other regions show slower progress, with global averages around 17% according to the United Nations’ global e-waste watchdog. The gap highlights a need for broader adoption of circular economy practices.

“The urgent problem of waste”

European Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius underscored the EU’s proactive stance on electronic waste, emphasizing that rising production and consumption have meaningful environmental and climate implications. He credits the early adoption of EPR principles as foundational to an ecosystem of advanced technologies, while warning that the journey toward a fully circular electronics economy is ongoing. Strengthening the value chain and reducing dependence on external sources are critical goals for all stakeholders.

E-waste is among the fastest-growing waste streams globally. Jan Vlak, president of the WEEE Forum, calls for increased participation from all relevant actors—producers, regulators, consumers, reuse and recycling entities, retailers, and waste managers—to expand effective e-waste collection.

According to the United Nations, 8 kilograms of electronic waste will be generated per person worldwide in 2023.

The UN notes that updating the EPR framework to align with circular economy principles is essential and should be integrated into EU law and a global agreement that harmonizes standards and sets clear waste-management obligations. Global figures for 2023 show that just 17.4% of this waste, which contains hazardous substances and valuable materials, is properly collected and recycled. The remainder often ends up in landfills, incinerators, illicit trade, or informal and unsafe processing. Even Europe, a leader in e-waste recycling, reports only about 55% of e-waste being officially recorded as collected and recycled, highlighting a broad gap in public awareness and circular economy development for consumer electronics.

For more information on waste management efforts, focus remains on improving collection and recycling rates, promoting responsible consumer disposal, and strengthening global standards for e-waste handling.

End note: the environmental department contact details have been removed to maintain privacy and focus on public information and policy discussions.

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