Nature Positive Role of the Technology Sector 2025

E-waste – summary of key nature impacts and dependencies FIGURE 132.3 Hardware and e-waste Hardware has a host of nature-related impacts and dependencies, from manufacturing, packaging and transportation to e-waste and end-of-life treatment. E-waste receives particular focus in this report – 62 billion kg was produced in 2022 and this number is expected to grow to 82 billion kg by 2030. Figure 13 indicates how much of this total is recycled versus landfilled and compares nature impacts across pathways.59 Broadly, hardware and e-waste impacts and dependencies on nature include: –Hardware value chain impacts: Although covered in less detail in this report, hardware manufacturing has a material nature impact given its raw material requirements, the energy needed for production, and the packaging and transportation to get products to market. –E-waste and pollution: At least a quarter of e-waste goes directly to landfill, generating land-use impacts. This waste can release toxic heavy metals such as mercury, arsenic and lead that pollute water and soil surrounding disposal sites. –E-waste and end-of-life greenhouse gas emissions: Emissions from burning waste and the release of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) from refrigerants are two potent sources of GHG emissions. –Water and electricity use in e-waste recycling: Hydrometallurgical processing can require large water volumes, while the alternative pyrometallurgical processing can have high power requirements. Greenhouse gas emissions E-waste leads to 580 million tonnes of CO2e annuallyLand use 54 million cubic metres of e-waste goes to landfill annuallyE-waste generation22% – formal recycling programmes 26% – informally processed with e-waste infrastructure Mechanical, hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical processing 29% – informally processed without e-waste infrastructure 23% – sent directly to landfillNo formal processing; released contaminants able to enter ground, water and air Pyrometallurgy HydrometallurgyWater use Minimal 800 litresPollution and waste 16-55 kg solid waste 16 kg solid wasteGHG emissions 145 kg CO2e 82 kg CO2eElectricity use 7,500 kWh 150 kWh All per 100 kg e-waste Sources: see endnote.6082 billion kg e-waste expected globally by 2030 – a 32% increase from 2022. Nature Positive: Role of the Technology Sector 26