During 2022, each individual that lived in the Americas region generated an average of 14.1 kg per capita of e-waste, according to The Global E-waste Monitor 2024 released by International Union of Telecommunications (ITU).
Only 4.2 kg per capita of this kind of waste is collected and recycled, representing 30% from the total, Monitor points out.
In 12 years, the average of e-waste per capita generated at the region almost doubled from 9.9 kg per capita in 2010 to 14.1 kg per capita in 2022, revealed The Global E-waste Monitor 2024.
That means 14 billion kg of e-waste that is a special handled waste which includes a complex composition of materials and components, a broad array of product types and a rapidly evolving product stream which increasingly comprises miniaturized parts, embedded electronics in traditional equipment, clothing and toys, and devices that have the ability to connect to the internet, explains the ITU research.
Mobile phones, personal computers, GPS devices, routers, printers, microwave ovens, electric shavers, washing machines, large printers, televisions, monitors, computers, laptops or refrigerators are some examples of e-waste.
The second largest is Brazil with 2,400 million kg, followed by Mexico with 1,500 million kg, Canada with 770 million kg and Argentina with 520 million kg.
In the region 12 countries have a national e-waste policy, legislation or regulation, 9 countries use the Extended Producer Responsibility principle, 3 countries have collection targets in place and none have recycling targets in place.
The report highlights that in the United States and Canada there is no federal legislation because e-waste is regulated at the state or provincial level, whereas in South American countries it is regulated at the national level.
