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Electronic devices are some of the most popular Christmas gifts, leading to the disposal of old models, which drastically contributes to the growing problem of e-waste (electronic waste).
The United Nations (UN) predicts that by 2030 there will be 74 million tonnes (Mt) of electronic waste globally. This is equivalent to the weight of 496 cruise ships – the size of the Queen Mary 2!
Concerned by the electronic waste crisis, amid current COP26 conversations regarding climate change, Clear It Waste Removal utilised e-waste data from the Global E-Waste Statistics Partnership and household composition data from the United Nations to calculate which of the 39 European countries produce the most E-waste per household.
Data confirmed Norwegians are the biggest culprits in Europe when it comes to e-waste, guilty of generating an estimated 57kg per household annually. That is the same weight as six microwave ovens.
The UK is in second position – British households are guilty of producing an estimated 55kg of e-waste per year. Considering that there are 27.8 million households in the UK, the collective e-waste in the country could potentially be 1,529,000,000kg – the equivalent weight of 1,274,17 London double-decker buses!
Irish households produce an estimated average of 52.4kg of e-waste every year and therefore are in third spot. Irish household e-waste is comparable to the weight of five adult bicycles.
In fourth place is Switzerland – the Swiss generate an estimated 51.5kg of e-waste per household. With 3.9 million private households in Switzerland, the overall household e-waste in the country could equate to 200,850,000kg – approximately the same weight as 6974 Apollo 11 Rockets!
Other European countries whose households produce more than 45kg of e-waste include Spain (49.4kg), Netherlands (47.5kg), Cyprus (47kg), France (46.2kg) and Luxembourg (45.4kg), respectively ranking fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth.
On the other end in 39th position is Moldova. Moldovans are the champions of generating the least e-waste in Europe at an average estimate of 11.6kg per household each year.
The best way of disposing of your e-waste is in a specialised e-waste recycling facility or donating/selling your electronics to others. Clear It Waste Removal has also published a handy guide on disposing of your e-waste.
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