ITU seeks effective e-waste regulation in developing countries — Technology — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has called on developing nations to develop effective electronic waste (e-waste) regulations.

ITU, which said International e-Waste Day, is celebrated every October 14, called on everyone in 2024 under the theme: ‘Join the e-waste hunt – retrieve, recycle, and revive’, informed that the theme drew attention to the vast amounts of unused electronics in homes, emphasizing the importance of recycling and reviving valuable materials hidden in devices like mobile phones, cables, and other forgotten electronics.

According to the ITU, which is the United Nations arm in charge of global telecommunications, waste electrical and electronic equipment – or e-waste is among the world’s fastest-growing environmental challenges.

At current rates, the world will produce an alarming 82 billion kilograms of e-waste yearly by 2030, according to the 2024 Global E-waste Monitor, released earlier this year by ITU, UNITAR and Fondation Carmignac, provided technical assistance to countries that want to prepare and implement e-waste regulation.

Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau, Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, said: “The full benefits of technology need to be realised with sustainability in mind. Together with partners worldwide, we work to pave the way for a future where digital innovation and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.”

ITU noted that rapid technological advances have brought e-waste to the forefront of global concerns, saying that as digital innovation continues to accelerate, responsible e-waste management has become urgent.

In response, ITU and the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, are working together to advance and implement producer responsibility-based regulations for e-waste in developing countries.

Governor of Strategy and Digitalization, CST, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Naif Sheshah, said: “Globally, 62 billion kilograms of e-waste were generated in 2022, yet less than 23 per cent of it was recycled. CST, in collaboration with ITU, is taking proactive steps to change this and promote a sustainable digital future.”

With an initial focus on Paraguay, Rwanda and Zambia, the initiative, launched in 2023 at COP28, relied on collaboration with local stakeholders to achieve effective e-waste solutions tailored to meet local needs.

“Our impactful collaboration with CST addresses one of today’s pressing environmental issues and seeks to align technological progress with sustainable practices. Through this work, together with local partners and stakeholders, we are helping to pave the way for a better future for all,” said Zavazava.

In terms of country-level action on e-waste, in Paraguay, ITU and CST have engaged national regulators and producers in consultations to define the core principles of new e-waste regulations. Key roles and responsibilities are being mapped out through this collaborative process, and a core team of public stakeholders has been established to help guide the consultations on Paraguay’s regulatory framework for e-waste.

In Rwanda, ITU and CST are working with a wide array of government authorities to implement a comprehensive producer responsibility system for e-waste management. Electronics producers are directly involved in shaping a circular value chain that supports both environmental sustainability and economic growth.

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}