Connecting the Circular model of E-waste Management to the Sustainable Development Goals

Technological innovation, rapid urbanization, and economic development are contributing to the growing number of e-waste. In many urban households, more than one ICT device per person is becoming the norm and the life cycle of ICT equipment is becoming shorter as newer ICT products are coming out faster and more frequent. It is estimated that 48.5 million tonnes of e-waste were generated in 2018 with only 20% were appropriated dealt with[1]. It is expected that the number of e-waste will go up to 52.2 million tonnes in 2021. This calls for a new approach to e-waste management, one that emphasizes on retaining the values of the entire supply chain of ICT equipment.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Basel Convention have been working to develop international standards and technical policy guidance on managing e-waste sustainably and encouraging the transition to a circular economy. This session aims provide an overview of these international standards and technical policy guidance and how policymakers and urban stakeholders can take advantages them to achieve different SDGs. It will also provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities, sharing experiences and best practices including on policies and standards aimed at increasing recycling of e-waste and other circular actions.

Join us and learn how you can tackle the e-waste problem with other international experts.

[1] http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_A_New_Circular_Vision_for_Electronics.pdf