Recent analysis by the United Nations has unveiled a startling fact: children’s toys containing concealed electronics contribute to a staggering 3.2 billion kilograms of electronic waste discarded annually.
Toys, despite their intended purpose to bring joy, frequently end up as waste when children’s interests change, leading to many of these items being disposed of in landfills, incinerators, or even ending up in the oceans.
However, there’s a solution in the form of a #circulareconomy. Many toy manufacturers are now reimagining not just how toys are manufactured and used but also the concept of toy ownership.
By embracing a circular approach, the toy industry can make a positive impact on reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices.
In anticipation of International E-Waste Day on October 14th, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Forum and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research joined forces to uncover the extent of electronic waste that is disposed of without recognizing its recycling potential.
The analysis revealed a staggering 9 billion kilograms of so-called “invisible” e-waste discarded annually, valued at nearly $10 billion. Surprisingly, approximately one-third of this waste is attributed to children’s toys containing concealed electronics, amounting to 3.2 billion kilograms.
This means that toys contribute 77 times more to the world’s invisible e-waste than vapes, which result in 42 million kilograms of waste each year. The UN estimates that 844 million vapes are discarded annually.
As Oliver Franklin-Wallis, the author of “Wasteland,” emphasizes, electronic waste is not only the fastest-growing waste stream but also the most valuable, especially in terms of household waste.
Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation
#EWaste #Recycling #EnvironmentalImpact #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #ToyIndustry
