The growth of telecommunications/ICTs, especially in developing countries, has been exponential in recent years. The growth of electrical and electronic equipment and their peripherals, as well as the continuous updating of technology, has generated a significant growth in telecommunication/ICT waste. It is estimated that between 20 and 50 million tons of telecommunication/ICT waste are generated every year worldwide.
However, recycling and responsible disposal of telecommunication/ICT waste remain at low levels, making it difficult to even find figures on this issue at regional level. The consequences of not carrying out proper recycling or disposal are environmental problems of large magnitude, especially for developing countries. The exponential growth of telecommunication/ICT devices, the associated high turnover of terminals and advances in technology make it imperative to put forward actions to prevent an environmental catastrophe that would involve the environment and human health.
