Tonnes of Electronic Waste Thrown Out This Year
CURRENT TOTAL
Live Counter Notable Facts
(Data shown in the table is for 2025. Counter shows current estimate)
Annual E-Waste Generation
Per Second Rate
Recycling Rate
Understanding Tonnes of Electronic Waste Thrown Out This Year
This counter displays the staggering amount of electronic waste (e-waste) generated globally in real-time. E-waste includes any discarded product with a plug or battery - from smartphones and laptops to refrigerators and washing machines.
Electronic waste is the world's fastest-growing waste stream, increasing by 2.6 million tonnes annually. In 2022, the world produced 62 million tonnes of e-waste, and this figure is projected to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030 - a growth rate five times faster than e-waste recycling.
Despite containing valuable materials worth over $62 billion annually, including gold, silver, copper, and rare earth elements, less than a quarter of e-waste is properly recycled. The remaining 77.7% is either landfilled, incinerated, or illegally exported to developing countries where it poses serious health and environmental risks.
Global E-Waste Crisis Overview
- E-waste generation is driven by technological advancement, shorter product lifecycles, limited repair options, and society's growing electronification. The average lifespan of electronic devices continues to decrease as consumers upgrade to newer models.
- The improper disposal of e-waste releases toxic substances including lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants into the environment. These hazardous materials can contaminate soil, water, and air, posing serious risks to human health and ecosystems.
- E-waste contains 100 times more gold per tonne than gold ore, yet only 1% of rare earth element demand is met through e-waste recycling. This represents a massive loss of valuable resources that could be recovered through proper recycling infrastructure.
- The informal e-waste sector, particularly in developing countries, employs millions of people including children who work in hazardous conditions without proper safety equipment, exposing them to toxic chemicals through burning and acid leaching processes.
E-Waste Terminology
- E-Waste: Electronic waste including all discarded electrical and electronic equipment with a plug, battery, or electrical cord
- Urban Mining: The process of recovering valuable materials from e-waste, particularly precious metals and rare earth elements
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Policy requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their electronic products
- Informal Recycling: Unregulated e-waste processing often using crude methods like open burning and acid baths to recover materials
E-Waste Categories by Volume
- Small Equipment: 20.4 million tonnes (toys, microwaves, vacuum cleaners)
- Large Equipment: 13 million tonnes (washing machines, electric stoves)
- Temperature Exchange: 10.8 million tonnes (refrigerators, air conditioners)
- Screens & Monitors: 6.7 million tonnes (TVs, computer monitors)
- Small IT Equipment: 4.6 million tonnes (phones, laptops, printers)
- Lamps: 0.9 million tonnes (LED, fluorescent bulbs)
Regional E-Waste Generation
- Asia: 30 million tonnes annually (49% of global total)
- Americas: 13.1 million tonnes annually (21% of global total)
- Europe: 12 million tonnes annually (19% of global total)
- Africa: 2.9 million tonnes annually (5% of global total)
- Oceania: 0.7 million tonnes annually (1% of global total)
E-Waste Material Value
- Total Material Value: $62 billion annually
- Iron/Steel: 39% of e-waste materials
- Plastics: 25% of e-waste materials
- Aluminum: 15% of e-waste materials
- Copper: 7% of e-waste materials
- Precious Metals: 0.2% by weight but high value
Data Sources and References
Methodology and Data Collection
E-waste statistics are compiled from the Global E-waste Monitor, a collaborative effort between ITU, UNITAR, and other international organizations that tracks electronic waste generation, collection, and recycling across 180+ countries.
Real-time calculations use a generation rate of 2.14 tonnes per second based on 2025 projections of 67.6 million tonnes annually, accounting for the consistent 2.6 million tonne annual increase observed since 2019.