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Supporting a circular economy for electronics

Transition to a circular economy model for electronics is key to reducing the digital sector’s environmental footprint, including its climate impact. Waste electrical and electronic equipment, or e-waste, is among the world’s fastest growing waste streams in the world, posing a major environmental challenge. Working with industry and governments ITU is creating a future where digital devices, rather than becoming an environmental hazard, are reintegrated into the next production cycle. To do this crucial work ITU has a broad range of activities at the international, regional and national levels.

Developing e-waste standards and guidelines

International standards and guidelines developed by ITU enable sustainable e-waste management systems, safe recycling procedures, and accelerate the global transition towards a circular economy.

Examples of our work include:
- Guidelines for sustainable e-waste management (Extended producer responsibility) (ITU standard L.1021).
- E-waste management framework for countries (ITU standard L.1030).
- Guideline for achieving the e-waste targets of the Connect 2030 Agenda (ITU standard L.1031).
- Guidelines and certification schemes for e-waste recyclers (ITU standard L.1032).
- Guidance for institutions of higher learning to contribute in the effective life cycle management of e-equipment and e-waste (ITU standard L.1033).
- Scheduled waste management for a base station (inclusive of e-waste) (ITU standard L.1036).
- Guidelines for developing a sustainable e-waste management system (Supplement L Suppl. 4 to ITU standard).
- Supplement on success stories on e-waste management (Supplement L Suppl. 27 to ITU standard).

Monitoring global e-waste data

ITU is an active contributor to the E-waste Monitors reports as a founding member of the Global E-waste Statistics Partnership (GESP), which includes the United Nations University's (UNU) Sustainable Cycles Programme (SCYCLE), and the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA). This transformative partnership provides decisionmakers with a global overview of the e-waste challenge, including through an open-source global map which visualizes e-waste data and statistics.

The GESP resource library provides a comprehensive searchable list of publications including global and regional E-waste Monitors reports. The reports contain information on the amount of e-waste generated in total and per capita, discarded prior to any collection, reuse, treatment, or export, as well as the amount of e-waste formally collected in total and per capita, plus e-waste legislation by country.

Examples of our work include:
- E-waste data support.
- E-waste Monitor reports.

Supporting countries with e-waste management

To assist Member States in balancing economic and social priorities with their environmental goals, ITU developed a dedicated programme to provide e-waste policy and regulatory support. In partnership with public and private sector donors ITU is responding to Member State requests for technical assistance and capacity building with e-waste policy and regulation development.

To request technical assistance or contribute as a donor please contact us at green [at] itu.int and join us in transforming the e-waste challenge into an opportunity for a greener future for all.

Examples of our work include:
- E-waste policy and regulation country level support.
- E-waste policy toolkit.

Capacity building

ITU is actively working with public and private sector partners to elevate the e-waste challenge to the top of the global environmental agenda. In e-waste lies a wealth of opportunity to recover valuable raw materials and create new jobs in recycling. Through e-waste online learning resources, ITU is making knowledge on e-waste policy and management widely available.

Examples of our work include:

- ITU e-waste publications.

- ITU e-waste learning resources.

- ITU Academy e-waste online training courses.

Publications

Discover our latest publications and news articles by visiting the ITU Hub.