Nature Positive Role of the Technology Sector 2025

Aligned countries have agreed to cut production and consumption of HFCs by over 80% over the next 30 years, avoiding 70 billion metric tonnes of CO2e across the global economy.222 Until the phaseout is complete, managing the impact of HFCs will be critical. The processing of e-waste generates its own emissions. Processing one tonne of e-waste for metal recovery using pyrometallurgy can result in 1.45 tonnes of CO2e or more.223 Additionally, copper and flame retardants can act as a catalyst when burned, leading to the production of dioxins and other toxic fumes.224,225 While producing fewer emissions than incineration, processing e-waste using hydrometallurgy results in 0.82 tonnes of CO2e per tonne of e-waste.226 Water and electricity use in e-waste recycling When assessing the most common methods of e-waste metal processing (pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy) energy and water use are again material. Processing 100 kg of e-waste through pyrometallurgy can require 7,500 kWh, just below what the average American household uses in an entire year.227 Hydrometallurgy is less energy- intensive, consuming 150 kWh per 100 kg of e-waste. However, the process requires water to manage the use of acids throughout processing, as much as 800 litres per 100 kg of e-waste. This equates to approximately the same amount of water a single human needs per year.228 Nature Positive: Role of the Technology Sector 63