Electronic junk is world’s fastest growing refuse problem, researchers discover

DISCARDED laptops, mobile phones and electronic goods are the world’s fastest growing waste problem, and must be tackled urgently, United Nations researchers have warned.

A new report has found levels of electronic junk – which covers digital devices and computers as well as anything that has a plug – rose by eight per cent in two years, with just 20 per cent being recycled. On average, each Briton throws away 44-55lbs (20-25kg) of “e-waste” each year.

“This report shows that the amounts of e-waste continue to grow, while too little is recylced,” said Jakob Rhyner, of the United Nations University, which led the study. He said e-waste often contains substances that pose considerable environmental and health risks, especially if treated inadequately.

“We live in a time of transition to a more digital world, where automation, sensors and artificial intelligence are transforming all the industries, our daily lives and our societies,” said Antonis Mavropoulos, the president of the International Solid Waste Association, which helped compile the report.

“E-waste is the most emblematic byproduct of this transition and everything shows that it will continue to grow at unprecedented rates,” he said.

The trend has been driven by falling prices in electrical devices and manufacturers encouraging upgrades to the latest models while making new software incompatible with old devices.

The study found that 43 million tonnes of electronic waste was generated in 2016, a rise of eight per cent from 2014, the fastest growth of any type of refuse, and double that of plastic.

It is the equivalent in weight to almost nine Great Pyramids of Giza, or 4,500 Eiffel Towers. Not only is the mountain of digital debris bad for the planet, people are inadvertently throwing away precious metals such gold, silver, platinum which are used in the manufacture of microchips, motherboards and other electronics.