The Hidden Heroes of Waste: Inside the World of E-Waste Recycling

Every time we upgrade our phone, gadget, or any other electronic device, have you ever wondered where all that waste ends up? And if you rarely change your devices, do you still remember where your very first electronic device is right now? If you’ve already thrown it away, where did it actually go?

Sources: Freepik

Nowadays, the usage of electronic devices is increasing along with the development of technology. This phenomenon can be found easily around us. People are constantly changing their phones when it comes to new series, changing their chargers, or maybe a corporation that needs to upgrade their technology facilities and get rid of the old ones. Well, you might think that this issue would not have a really big impact compared to the other environmental issues. But it turns out that the amount of electronic waste will grow rapidly from 2023. In Europe alone, more than 10 million tonnes of e-waste are projected to be discarded in 2025. Globally, e-waste generation is expected to reach approximately 57.4 million metric tonnes, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing waste streams.

If we try to see this issue globally, some countries have been noticing an increasing amount of e-waste. Countries like Estonia, Norway, and Iceland have the highest e-waste recycling rates. All of these countries operate under the framework called the WEEE Directive, or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, or its equivalent to national laws, it stated that it requires producers of electronics to take responsibility for the end-to-end life of the disposal and recycling process. For Example, Norway developed a system to collect e-waste so that households can easily return old devices. Meanwhile, Estonia is known for its advanced digital ecosystem, using a data-driven monitoring system for tracking the flow of electronic waste. On the other hand, Iceland has collaborations with local recycling companies to recover valuable materials like gold and copper to reduce the need for virgin resource extraction. 

Regardless of what governments do to create legislation, there are local heroes who are becoming aware of the issues and taking action to effect change, particularly when it comes to e-waste recycling. Indonesia, the world's fourth greatest generator of e-waste, has a local hero who wants to change things for the better. The efforts were called E-Waste RJ.

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E Waste RJ is a non-profit organization in Indonesia that focuses on the issue of electronic trash, particularly that containing hazardous elements. They set up an e-waste dropbox in public or semi-public areas where people may drop off their old electronics or e-waste. After it has been collected, it will be transferred to certified recyclers, where the materials will be appropriately processed, and valuables recovered. They also attempt to view e-waste as a resource. Material collected from e-waste can be repurposed or upcycled into new products to support the circular economy.