Environment & Energy
How much e-waste is generated every day? (Live Counter)
1,965 kg of electronic waste discarded every second, the world's fastest-growing solid waste stream
Roughly 2K kg every second.
kilograms of e-waste generated today
Source: UN Global E-waste Monitor 2024 (ITU/UNITAR/UNEP); 2025 figure interpolated on UN's 2022→2030 linear trajectory toward 82 Mt. View on dashboard →
What is e-waste and why is it the fastest-growing waste stream?
E-waste is discarded electronics: phones, laptops, TVs, fridges. The world's fastest-growing waste stream. The UN's last complete count (Global E-waste Monitor 2024) found 62 million tonnes in 2022, with only 22.3% formally recycled. On the UN's own trajectory toward 82 Mt by 2030, the world is generating roughly 70 million tonnes in 2025 — about 2,220 kg every second. Most of it, loaded with lead, mercury, cadmium, and ~$62 billion in recoverable metals, still ends up in landfills, incinerators, or informal dumps.
What ~70 million tonnes actually looks like
The 62 million tonnes of e-waste produced in 2022 is equivalent to 880 Great Pyramids of Giza
Laid end-to-end, the 62 Mt of 2022 e-waste would fill a line of 40-tonne trucks stretching 1.5 million km, nearly 4 trips to the Moon
The $62 billion in recoverable materials discarded annually in e-waste exceeds the GDP of many African nations
Every person on Earth generates roughly 7.8 kg of e-waste per year, the weight of a large laptop
E-waste generated vs. gold discarded in e-waste, today
Every tonne of e-waste contains an estimated 300-400 grams of gold, far more concentrated than gold ore. Most of it is never recovered.
Global e-waste generation: 2010-2025
Global e-waste generation has more than doubled since 2010 and reached a record 62 million tonnes in 2022 — the latest year with complete UN data. On the UN's own 2022-to-2030 trajectory (growing ~2.5 Mt/year toward 82 Mt by 2030), an estimated ~70 million tonnes are being generated globally in 2025-2026, driven by shorter device lifespans, rising consumer electronics ownership, and inadequate collection infrastructure.
| Year | Rate (kg/s) | Annual (Mt) | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1K kg/s | 34K Mt | Tracking begins |
| 2014 | 1K kg/s | 42K Mt | +23% from 2010 |
| 2016 | 1K kg/s | 45K Mt | +7% from 2014 |
| 2019 | 2K kg/s | 54K Mt | +20% from 2016 |
| 2021 | 2K kg/s | 57K Mt | +7% |
| 2022 | 2K kg/s | 62K Mt | +8%; recycling stagnates at 22.3% |
| 2025 (est.) | 2K kg/s | 70K Mt | Interpolated on UN GEM 2024's 2022→2030 path toward 82 Mt |
| 2030 (forecast) | 3K kg/s | 82K Mt | Fastest-growing solid waste stream continues |
What this means for you
The average person replaces their smartphone every 2-3 years. That discarded device, containing gold, silver, copper, and rare earth elements, joins the 62 million tonnes of e-waste generated globally each year, of which only 22% is formally recycled.
The other 78% is either landfilled, incinerated, or exported to informal recycling operations where workers dismantle electronics by hand with no protective equipment, often in open-air fires that release heavy metals into soil and groundwater.
The most direct action available: use devices longer, and when they do reach end of life, locate a certified e-waste recycler (not a standard rubbish bin). In the EU, retailers are legally required to accept old electronics for recycling. In the US, the EPA's eStewards programme lists certified recyclers by location.
The e-waste crisis: key statistics
Only 22.3% of global e-waste is formally collected and recycled; the rest is largely incinerated or landfilled
E-waste generation grew 82% between 2010 and 2022, from 34 to 62 million tonnes
In 2022, $62 billion worth of recoverable materials (gold, silver, copper) were discarded in e-waste
E-waste generation is rising approximately 5 times faster than formal recycling capacity is growing
The e-waste generated in 2022 (62 Mt) weighs more than all commercial aircraft ever built
E-waste is projected to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030 (UN Global E-waste Monitor 2024)
A single 1-tonne batch of e-waste contains more gold than 40 tonnes of mined ore
The e-waste crisis: ~70 million tonnes of discarded technology in 2025
The world's fastest-growing waste stream
Electronic waste has grown from 34 million tonnes in 2010 to 62 million tonnes in 2022, an 82% increase in twelve years. The UN Global E-waste Monitor, now in its fourth edition (2024), identifies three key drivers: higher consumption rates of electrical and electronic equipment, shorter product lifecycles driven by planned obsolescence, and limited repair infrastructure. The average smartphone is replaced after just 2-3 years. The average laptop after 3-5 years. Each replacement generates approximately 1.5-2 kg of e-waste.
The recycling crisis
Despite the visible growth of recycling rhetoric, only 22.3% of 2022's e-waste was formally collected and processed in 2022, essentially the same rate as in 2014. The remaining 77.7% is largely incinerated in open fires (releasing toxic gases), dumped in landfills where heavy metals leach into groundwater, or processed by informal workers in developing countries without protective equipment. E-waste generation is growing five times faster than the formal recycling capacity.
A treasure mountain being buried
E-waste is not just pollution. It is a misallocated resource. The UN estimates that the 2022 e-waste stream contained approximately 500 tonnes of gold, 2,600 tonnes of silver, 2 million tonnes of copper, and 50 tonnes of palladium, alongside 10 tonnes of platinum-group metals. The total recoverable value was $62 billion. One tonne of processed circuit boards contains 200-300 g of gold, 40-80 times more than a tonne of gold ore. Urban mining (recovering metals from e-waste) is economically viable but requires industrial infrastructure and investment in collection.
Health and environmental impact
Informal e-waste processing, concentrated in parts of Ghana (Agbogbloshie), Nigeria, India, and Southeast Asia, exposes workers to lead, mercury, cadmium, and flame-retardant chemicals. Studies have found blood lead levels 5-10 times safe limits in children living near informal processing sites. Soil contamination, groundwater pollution, and atmospheric particulates affect entire communities. The UN Sustainable Development Goal target 12.5 calls for substantially reducing waste generation, e-waste is one of the most challenging components.
2030 outlook
The UN projects 82 million tonnes of e-waste by 2030. If recycling rates stay flat, that means ~64 million tonnes improperly disposed per year. Only if collection and recycling rates reach 60% would the economic benefits (>$38 billion annually) begin to outweigh disposal costs. The EU's Ecodesign Regulation, right-to-repair legislation in the US, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes are the main policy tools targeting this trend.
Key moments in e-waste policy and scale
- 2010~34 million tonnes of e-waste generated globally; first systematic tracking begins
- 2014UN Global E-waste Monitor first published; 41.8 million tonnes in 2014; only 16% recycled
- 201644.7 million tonnes; UN monitors formally identify e-waste as world's fastest-growing waste stream
- 2017Global E-waste Monitor 2017 published; recycling rate stagnates at ~20%
- 2019Record 53.6 million tonnes, up 21% in 5 years; only 17.4% formally recycled (UN)
- 2022New record: 62 million tonnes; $62 billion in recoverable materials discarded; +82% since 2010
- 2024UN Global E-waste Monitor 4th edition; projects 82 Mt by 2030; recycling rate projected to fall to 20%
What industry reports found
| Year | Finding | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Global e-waste generation estimated at approximately 34 million tonnes | 34.0M tonnes | ITU / United Nations University (UNU) |
| 2014 | Global e-waste generation approximately 41.8 million tonnes | 41.8M tonnes | ITU / United Nations University (UNU) |
| 2016 | Global e-waste generation 44.7 million tonnes; only 20% formally collected; $55B in materials unrecovered | 44.7M tonnes | ITU / United Nations University (UNU) |
| 2019 | Record 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste generated, a 21% increase over 2014; only 17.4% formally recycled | 53.6M tonnes | ITU / UNU / ISWA |
| 2021 | 57.4 million tonnes of e-waste generated globally | 57.4M tonnes | ITU / UNITAR |
| 2022 | Record 62 million tonnes generated; only 22.3% formally recycled; $62B in recoverable materials; 82% increase from 2010 | 62.0M tonnes | ITU / UNITAR |
How the number is calculated
The UN Global E-waste Monitor 2024 (the most recent authoritative global edition) reports 62 million tonnes of e-waste generated in 2022 — the last year with complete global data. For the live counter we apply the UN's own 2022→2030 linear growth trajectory (+~2.5 Mt/year toward 82 Mt by 2030), giving an estimated ~70 Mt for 2025. Converting: 70,000,000 tonnes × 1,000 kg/tonne = 70 billion kg ÷ 31,557,600 seconds/year ≈ 2,220 kg/second. The live counter shows cumulative kg of e-waste generated today. The next UN Global E-waste Monitor edition (GEM 2026) is due in late 2026; we will refresh as soon as it is published.
Sources: The Global E-waste Monitor 2014 - The Global E-waste Monitor 2017 - The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 - The Global E-waste Monitor 2024 - ITU - E-waste Statistics and Environment. Methodology →
Frequently asked questions
- How much e-waste is generated per year?
- In 2022, the world generated 62 million tonnes of e-waste, according to the UN Global E-waste Monitor 2024. This is up from 53.6 million tonnes in 2019 and 34 million tonnes in 2010, representing an 82% increase over twelve years.
- What percentage of e-waste is recycled?
- Only 22.3% of global e-waste was formally collected and recycled in 2022. This rate has barely changed since 2019 (17.4%), while total e-waste generation continues to rise. The remaining ~78% is mostly landfilled, incinerated, or processed informally in developing countries.
- What valuable materials are in e-waste?
- E-waste contains significant quantities of gold, silver, copper, palladium, and rare earth elements. The UN estimates that in 2022, $62 billion worth of recoverable natural resources were discarded in e-waste. Just the gold alone, approximately 500 tonnes, is worth around $30 billion at current prices.
- What is the projected e-waste volume in 2030?
- The UN Global E-waste Monitor 2024 projects global e-waste generation will reach 82 million tonnes by 2030, a 32% increase from 2022. The formal recycling rate is projected to decline to around 20% by 2030 due to the widening gap between generation and collection capacity.
- Which countries generate the most e-waste?
- In absolute terms, China (12 Mt), the United States (7 Mt), and India (4 Mt) generate the most e-waste annually. However, per-capita, high-income European and North American countries lead. Only 3 kg/capita is generated per year in low-income countries vs. 22 kg/capita in high-income countries.
How the e-waste estimate is calculated
The UN Global E-waste Monitor is jointly published by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), UNITAR, and partners. It is the definitive global source for e-waste statistics, used by UNEP, the European Commission, and national governments worldwide. Data collection uses a harmonised methodology across 78 countries, with modelling for countries lacking direct reporting. The 2022 figure (62 Mt) is the latest year with complete global data from GEM 2024; 2023-2026 figures shown on this page are interpolated on the UN's own published 2022→2030 trajectory toward 82 Mt.
Sources
The Global E-waste Monitor 2014 - The Global E-waste Monitor 2017 - The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 - The Global E-waste Monitor 2024 - ITU - E-waste Statistics and Environment.
Explore related: Gold in e-waste - Data center energy - Sand mined for devices, and the live AnythingCounter dashboard.