Canada’s E-waste Has More Than Tripled in the Last 2 Decades - New Study

According to new research from the University of Waterloo, Canada's electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) has tripled in the last two decades, with close to a million tons generated in 2020 alone.

The study is a comprehensive estimate of e-waste in Canada, and it shows that e-waste per person has risen from 8.3 kg in 2000 to 25.3 kg in 2020.

Discarded Electronic Devices

E-waste, short for electronic waste, refers to discarded electronic devices, including but not limited to smartphones, computers, televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, and other appliances.

These devices may contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, and cadmium that can pollute the environment and pose risks to human health if not handled properly.

The findings of the new study highlight the need for proactive forecasts to better manage the evolving electronics sector.

Consumer behavior and the rising population in Canada are the primary drivers of the estimated surge in e-waste. The increase in the number of households has led to higher consumption rates, resulting in more discarded electronic devices.

The e-waste stream, in terms of weight, is dominated by bulky household appliances like refrigerators and washing machines.

However, household lighting is the most prevalent item in terms of quantity, followed by toys and sports equipment and IT and telecommunications equipment like laptops and cellphones.

"This study provides useful insights to policymakers for setting up targets for e-waste reduction and recycling to recover valuable resources from e-waste," said Komal Habib, professor in the School of Environment, Enterprise, and Development.

"E-waste could also help to create a secondary supply chain of critical materials, reducing the risks of potential supply disruptions."

Opportunities for the Recycling Industry

Although the rise in e-waste has its drawbacks, it also presents opportunities for the recycling industry. While household lighting and smaller items make up the majority of e-waste in terms of quantity, recovering precious and critical materials from lightweight IT and telecommunication equipment poses a challenge for recyclers.

However, with the increasing quantity of e-waste, it could provide incentives for recycling industries to remain operational.

The study highlights the need to shift the focus from recycling and material recovery to improving repair, refurbishment, and product life extension opportunities.

Additionally, the researchers suggest that assessing consumer behavior data is necessary to gain a more accurate understanding of e-waste management in Canada, which could enhance sustainable management practices.

"The findings will be beneficial for stakeholders to explore possible material and revenue generation opportunities from e-waste," said Habib.

"For example, it can help electronic manufacturers and recyclers to understand the potential for urban mining, plan for future extractions of critical materials, and identify the need for safe handling of any hazardous materials."

The findings of the study were published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials.