IGAD urges East African states to tackle E-Waste as global discarded electronics hit 62 bn kilos

<NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 18> - The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has called on East African nations to enhance electronic waste management practices as the region's digital transformation accelerates. As the IGAD Secretariat noted on International E-Waste Day, observed annually on October 14, the rapid growth of electronic waste (e-waste) is a pressing concern that must be addressed sustainably.

In 2022, the world generated a record 62 billion kilograms of e-waste, equivalent to 7.8 kilograms per person. According to the Global E-waste Monitor 2024, only 22.3 percent of this waste, or 13.8 billion kilograms, was recorded as being collected and recycled in an environmentally sound manner. The volume of e-waste has nearly doubled between 2010 and 2022, outpacing the growth in formal collection and recycling efforts by nearly five times.

IGAD warned that hazardous materials from discarded electronics pose risks to both people and the environment. To tackle this issue, the regional bloc urged governments, businesses, and citizens to prioritize repairing, reusing, and responsibly recycling electronic equipment instead of sending it to landfills. The IGAD Secretariat emphasized the importance of extending device lifespans, strengthening e-waste collection systems, and preventing hazardous materials from contaminating ecosystems.

This appeal comes amid a growing global e-waste challenge, with the volume of waste generated annually nearly doubling in the past decade. The increase has been attributed to rapid technological advancements, rising consumer consumption, shorter device lifespans, limited repair options, and insufficient waste management infrastructure.

International E-Waste Day, established in 2018 by the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Forum, aims to raise awareness about this growing problem and encourage responsible disposal of electronic equipment. This year's theme, "Recycle it all, no matter how small!", highlights the significance of recycling even small electronic items that are often discarded with regular household waste.