10 surprising facts about e-waste that are guaranteed to make you think differently

E-waste is an issue that is often overlooked, even though it affects us all. From smartphones to laptops to old televisions, our technological dependence is leaving its mark. Here are ten startling facts to show you why it's time to rethink:

1. E-waste is growing faster than any other category of waste

Worldwide, more than 60 million tons of electrical waste a – Tendency increasing. According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, in 2022 there were around 62 million tons, and for 2030 around 82 million tons are expected. The amount is thus growing at about five times the rate of documented recycling. The main reason: ever shorter product lifecycles.

2. Nur rund 22 % des Elektroschrotts werden nachweislich recycelt

According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, only 22.3 % % of electronic waste was collected and recycled in 2022; in 2019 it was 17.4%. % Although almost every electronic device contains valuable materials such as gold, copper, and rare earths, the majority ends up in landfills or is incinerated. A huge potential for resources remains untapped.

3. Alte Handys enthalten mehr Gold als Golderz

A ton of old mobile phones contains more gold than a ton of gold ore. Yet only a small portion of this resource is actually recovered.

4. Europa führt bei Elektroschrott – und verfehlt trotzdem seine Recyclingziele

European countries generate the most electronic waste per capita – according to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, around 17.6 kg per person per year. Europe has the highest documented collection and recycling rate globally (around 43 %). However, despite stricter laws, it still falls short of expectations: Many EU countries miss the legal collection quota of 65 %.

5. Illegal exports: electronic waste becomes a global crisis

One a significant portion of the electrical waste It is exported from industrialized countries to developing countries either undocumented or illegally – there are naturally no exact figures available; estimates vary widely. There it is often disassembled by hand under dangerous conditions.

6. Danger to people and the environment

Electronic waste contains toxic substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium. These can contaminate soil and groundwater - with long-term consequences for health.

7. Recycling saves more energy than you think

The recycling of aluminum from electronic waste requires 95 % less energy than production from raw materials. The situation is similar for other metals.

8. Your old devices could save lives

Used electronics that are refurbished can be given a second chance in schools, hospitals or charitable projects - especially in structurally weak regions.

9. Milliarden alte Handys liegen ungenutzt herum

According to estimates from the WEEE Forum, around 2022 worldwide alone 5.3 billion mobile phones discarded – many of them do not end up in recycling, but remain in drawers. A gigantic source of raw materials that is not being used up.

10. Zero waste is feasible - even in IT

Companies can use strategies such as IT remarketing, professional data deletion and certified reconditioning one Circular economy establish. This saves costs and protects the environment.

What the facts mean for your company

The numbers are global – the leverage lies in your own house:

• Reuse before recycling: Each used device replaces a new production.
• Delete data that can be traced: According to the ElektroG, the owner is responsible for deleting personal data from old devices.
• Certified disposal: This way your electrical waste does not end up in illegal export channels.

Second IT has already processed around 1.8 million devices and safely disposed of around 200,000 devices. You can read about how we proceed on our page. IT disposal and IT recycling.

Sources: Global E-Waste Monitor 2024 (UNITAR/ITU), WEEE Forum (2022).

Woran Sie eine rechtssichere IT-Entsorgung erkennen, lesen Sie im Beitrag über den Entsorgungsfachbetrieb.

Conclusion: the time for sustainable decisions is now

E-waste is more than just waste - it is an opportunity. Companies and private individuals can be part of the solution through conscious decisions and sustainable technologies.

Find out more about sustainable IT solutions and certified recycling here.

More on the topic: Disposing of data carriers in accordance with the GDPR: What really matters in an audit and Test drive corporate phones: Data gone, lock gone, money returned.

Frequently asked questions about electrical waste

What does all electrical waste consist of?

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) includes all used devices that are powered by electricity, batteries or accumulators. In companies, this mainly includes laptops, PCs, monitors, servers, printers, smartphones, tablets, and network equipment. Loose data carriers such as hard drives and SSDs are also included. In Germany, the Electronic and Electrical Equipment Act (ElektroG) regulates the handling of WEEE.

How do companies dispose of electrical waste properly?

First, check which devices still work and can be resold. Then, have all data certified erased or destroy the data media in accordance with DIN 66399. Report defective devices to a certified disposal company. Keep records of erasure, destruction, and disposal – they prove your diligence during audits.

Is reuse better than recycling?

Yes. The Circular Economy Act explicitly prioritizes reuse over recycling. The majority of the carbon footprint of notebooks is generated during their production. When a device is reused, this manufacturing process is not necessary for a new device. By contrast, recycling only recovers a portion of the raw materials.