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Foster circular economy
E-waste is one of the fastest-growing environmental challenges globally, and if current rates continue, 82 billion kg of e-waste will be generated in 2030 according to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2024.
Many types of toxic and hazardous substances such as mercury, brominated flame-retardants or chloroflurocarbons are found in electronic equipment and pose severe risk to human health and the environment if not handled in an environmentally sound manner.
Supporting e-waste management regulations
How can policymakers and global stakeholders drive progress in e-waste regulation and circular economies?
(a) National governments can commit to formulating a national e-waste regulation (where local context permits) by XX date
(b) Pledge support (in-kind or in-cash) to XX number of countries for the formulation of national e-waste regulation by XX date.How can EEE producers, importers, distributors, brands, manufacturers, and telcos contribute to e-waste regulation worldwide?
(a) Pledge support (in-kind or in-cash) to XX number of countries for the formulation of national e-waste regulation by XX date.
(b) Commit to partnering with XX number of countries during the formulation and implementation of national e-waste regulation by XX date.Progress since 2023
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2023 — Launch of the Green Digital Action (GDA) Circular Economy Calls to Action
ITU and partners launched the Circular Economy Track under Green Digital Action to drive global cooperation on sustainable e-waste management -
2023 — CST–ITU E-Waste Management Regulations Project
Communications, Space & Technology (CST) Commission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has launched a joint project with ITU on “E-Waste Management Regulations,” which works with Zambia, Rwanda, and Paraguay to provide innovative regulatory solutions to the challenges facing the treatment of e-waste globally, along with raising awareness among policymakers and industry owners on the critical role of fair and practical economical regulations in reducing e-waste production and carbon emissions. -
2024 — APC Colombia Project
Led by ITU and the Government of Colombia, the project connects six countries across three regions to exchange best practices through study tours and webinars, culminating in a multilingual e-waste regulation toolkit. -
2025 — Global E-Waste Regulatory Toolkit
ITU and CST launched this comprehensive toolkit to guide governments through each stage of e-waste policymaking, from assessment to implementation. It provides actionable insights and frameworks to design e-waste management systems that are fair, economically viable and tailored to local contexts.