UNITAR releases report on the impact of Covid-19 on e-waste

The UN Training and Research Institute has released a report titled ‘Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on e-waste’ that looks at how the consumption and ultimately disposal of electrical devices has impacted the environment. The study finds that the decline in the consumption of electronic and electrical equipment in the first three quarters of 2020 has reduced waste of electronic devices by 4.9 million metric tonnes. The report also estimates that the reductions in low- and middle-income countries were at 30% whereas in high-income countries a decline of only 5% was recorded.