ITU-T Recommendations

Recommendation ITU-T L.1037 addresses the growing challenge of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) due to the rapid replacement and obsolescence of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). As technological innovations accelerate, EEE products are replaced more frequently, contributing to a global surge in e-waste. The global E-waste Monitor 2024 reports that 62 million tonnes of e-waste were generated in 2022, a figure expected to reach 82 million tons by 2030. Despite this growth, only a small percentage of e-waste is properly collected and recycled, particularly in developing countries. Much of the waste is dismantled in informal sectors, where unsafe practices lead to environmental and health risks.
This Recommendation provides a comprehensive framework for the collection, transportation, storage, dismantling, valorization and final disposal of WEEE in a safe and environmentally sound manner, as well as for improving the valorization of WEEE in developing countries. It aims to improve recycling rates and resource recovery, particularly in developing countries, while supporting stakeholders in making environmentally conscious decisions and facilitating sustainable e-waste management. Additionally, the Recommendation contributes to creating a circular economy and increasing resource efficiency for EEE, particularly for information and communication technologies (ICTs), helping to harmonize global e-waste management practices. Encouraging traceability and well-defined classification systems facilitates more effective monitoring and sustainable management of e-waste.