With the accelerated iteration of global electronic devices, the amount of electronic waste (E-waste) has continued to surge and has become another prominent environmental challenge following plastic pollution. The latest news data released by the World Environment Organization shows that the global production of electronic waste exceeded 53 million tons in 2024, and it is expected that this figure may exceed 70 million tons by 2030. However, only about one-fifth of them have been properly recycled and processed, while the vast majority have been landfilled or illegally dumped, posing serious environmental and health risks. Facing this predicament, governments, research institutions, and enterprises in many countries are actively exploring “effective solutions”, hoping to find more efficient and sustainable ways to manage electronic waste.
Technological innovation: From “Pollution Source” to “Resource Pool”
In terms of handling methods, technological innovation is becoming an important direction for solving difficult problems, the latest news indicates. Some Japanese enterprises have taken the lead in introducing high-temperature plasma cracking technology. By processing circuit boards and waste chips in an ultra-high-temperature environment, they have achieved efficient extraction of precious metals. This process can not only recover rare metals such as gold, silver, and copper, but also significantly reduce secondary pollution.
Meanwhile, European enterprises are promoting robotic automated disassembly systems. Compared with traditional manual disassembly, the recycling efficiency of robots has increased by more than 40%, and they can precisely separate harmful substances from reusable materials under the premise of ensuring safety. A research team from the Technical University of Munich in Germany has also developed biodegradable circuit materials. It is expected that in the future, the “green design” of electronic products themselves will significantly reduce the difficulty of disposal after scrapping.
Policy promotion: Trade-in and subsidy system
Policy support at the government level is also a crucial link. California in the United States launched an “Electronic Recycling Fund” in early 2025. Consumers pay a small fee when purchasing new devices to support subsidies for the recycling of old devices. As long as users return their old mobile phones or laptops, they can receive cash rebates or deduction benefits.
In China, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, in collaboration with local governments, has launched a “discounted trade-in of old devices” program to attract more consumers to voluntarily include their used electronic products in regular channels. According to incomplete statistics, in the first half of 2025 alone, the number of used mobile phones recovered through trade-in programs across the country has exceeded 20 million. The Indian government followed suit by introducing a “trade-in” policy and simplifying the registration process through mobile platforms, thereby enhancing public participation.
Reuse creativity: Turning garbage into “Treasure”
In both non-governmental and entrepreneurial teams, the reuse of creative ideas has become another way out. The non-profit organization “Green Future” recently launched an “Electronic Waste Art Exhibition”, transforming discarded circuit boards, hard disks, and cables into sculptures, lamps, and teaching tools, which has drawn public attention to the reuse of electronic waste.
Some start-up companies focus on “functional regeneration”. For instance, a start-up company based in Kenya collects used laptop batteries, tests and combines them to provide low-power lighting to local rural communities. This “regenerative energy” approach not only extends battery life but also provides a solution for energy accessibility in underdeveloped regions.
International cooperation: Unified standards are just around the corner
In a recent report, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) pointed out that the management of electronic waste has surpassed the capacity of a single country and requires a collaborative response from the international community. At present, the United Nations is promoting the formulation of a globally unified standard for the recycling of electronic waste to regulate the full life cycle management from production, circulation, to disposal.
Against this backdrop, the European Union plans to fully implement the Circular Electronics Act by 2026, requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for product recycling and introduce recyclable concepts at the design stage. The Asian region is promoting a regional cooperation framework and attempting to share processing technologies and regulatory experiences through cross-border platforms.
Social impact and future outlook
Experts point out that electronic waste is not only an environmental issue but is also increasingly becoming a social equity problem. Illegal dumping and rough handling often occur in resource-poor developing countries, where residents are exposed to the threat of heavy metals and harmful chemicals. How to ensure that governance achievements benefit the world through international cooperation and fair distribution will be the focus of future discussions.
Looking ahead, it is widely believed in the industry that the direction of electronic waste management will be a triple combination of “technological innovation + policy promotion + public participation”. On the one hand, green materials and intelligent disassembly technologies will continue to mature; On the other hand, more countries will guide consumers to actively participate in recycling through legislation and subsidy systems. Meanwhile, creative reuse and cross-border cooperation will also inject new impetus into the management of electronic waste.
As these “tricks” are gradually implemented, global e-waste management may reach a turning point, not only bringing positive effects to environmental protection but also opening up new space for resource recycling.
Leave a comment