E-waste is discarded electrical and electronic equipment, including computers, smartphones, televisions and their components. It is growing because consumption and replacement are increasing faster than effective collection, repair and recycling.
This topic belongs to the IB Digital Society environmental context, particularly pollution and waste, and is shared by SL and HL. Digital devices contain valuable materials but may also contain hazardous substances. Unsafe dumping, burning or dismantling can contaminate soil, air and water, while recoverable materials are lost.
| Cause of growth | How it increases the problem |
|---|---|
| Rising device ownership | More people purchase connected devices, increasing discarded volume. |
| Short replacement cycles | Marketing and software requirements encourage replacement before hardware fails. |
| Limited repairability | Restricted parts or repair information can make replacement easier than repair. |
| Weak collection systems | Inadequate infrastructure prevents safe recovery and encourages disposal. |
System: The global electronics system connects manufacturers, software providers, consumers, repair businesses, waste collectors and recyclers.
Example specifics: The Global E-waste Monitor 2024, published by the ITU and UNITAR, reported that the world generated approximately 62 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022. Only 22.3% was documented as formally collected and recycled, while annual generation was projected to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030. This report postdates the 2022 coursebook.
Impacts and implications: Current impacts include pollution, health risks for informal waste workers and lost resources. Future implications include pressure on finite resources, but also opportunities for repair, reuse, better product design and a circular economy.
The common misconception is that e-waste is simply ordinary rubbish containing electronics. It is better understood through systems, because design, consumption, regulation and waste management interact and produce intended and unintended consequences.
Exam technique: For an Explain question, link each cause to how it increases e-waste. For an Evaluate question, weigh the benefits of digital devices against environmental costs, distinguish impacts from implications, and consider manufacturers, consumers, waste workers and governments.
