globalewaste.org launched to help collect worldwide e-waste statistics
The Global E-waste Statistics Partnership kicked off globalewaste.org to support its mission to monitor developments of e-waste over time, and help countries produce e-waste statistics. The initiative, which is founded by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations University (UNU), and the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), targets policymakers, industries, academia, media, and the general public to raise awareness and understanding of global e-waste data and its relation to the sustainable development goals (SDGs). The new platform provides e-waste data on all countries from the Global and Regional E-waste Monitors which includes data on the amount of e-waste generated in total, per capita, and discarded prior to any collection, reuse, treatment, or export; the amount of e-waste formally collected in total, per capita and regulated by environmental protection laws specifically designed for e-waste; and e-waste legislation by country, where applicable. ‘Reliable and official data and statistics on e-waste provide the foundation for sound e-waste legislation and management at the national level. To date, 41 countries report compiling comparable national statistics on e-waste. Better e-waste data will help track progress towards global ITU e-waste targets that Member States have set for 2023. ’ said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao.