Did you know that the UN recently estimated that in 2019 around 22 million tonnes of small e-waste were produced worldwide?
It is a staggering 40% of the 57 million tonnes of e-waste that arises globally! If the rate of small items continues to increase at the same rate as total e-waste (around 3% per annum), the UN predicts it will reach 29 million tonnes by 2030.
Small items such as cell phones, electric toothbrushes, toasters and cameras make up around 8% of e-waste. The majority ends up in the bin and eventually becomes landfilled or incinerated. Because of this, it is impossible to extract the essential raw materials they contain, which means they are lost.
On top of that, Europe produces 1.4 kg of e-waste per inhabitant every year!
In an average European household, up to 5 kg of e-devices per person is currently hoarded.
In this context, we must ask ourselves, “What do we really need in our lives?”
WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO?
Spread awareness around e-waste. We invite you all to join us in participating in the activities dedicated to International E-Waste Day 2022 (#ewasteday).
This year’s edition will be on small items of e-waste under the slogan ‘Recycle it all, no matter how small!’.
#ewasteday will take place on October 14th 2022 and is open to any e-waste-related awareness-raising activities you might want to join. From social media, TV, and radio campaigns to city or school e-waste collections and artistic performances.
Click the banner below and explore the WEEE Forum website:
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see what kind of activities had a place during the previous editions of International E-Waste Day 2022
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understand better how activities unite us all in raising awareness
- register for International E-Waste Day 2022
‘Recycle it all, no matter how small!’
What do phones and laptops have in common with TVs and PC monitors? Liquid crystals and indium!
To set a good example and take it as our priority this week, Votechnik team has already signed in and joined the WEEE Forum. We will run a social media campaign on the recovery of rare materials contained in small electronic devices. The campaign will focus on Indium, a rare material found as indium tin oxide in most devices with an LCD screen, small and big – mobile phones, tablets, ipads etc., and not only in large LCD TVs and flat panel computer monitors. Due to the scarcity of Indium and supply chain dependencies to the main producer (China), it is important that all LCD display devices, big and small, are recycled correctly so that LCD panels do not end up in landfill, allowing for processes to be developed for Indium recovery.
Votechnik is not only providing state-of-the-art large LCD panel processing and depollution equipment, Votechnik is also working with an international consortium to develop such Indium recovery processes. To keep in touch about these issues and to follow the progress Votechnik is making towards Indium recovery and all matters of LCD TV recycling, please follow us on LinkedIn, and Twitter and sign up for our newsletter at votechnik.com.
