E-waste hit record highs during 2019 worldwide, with a global weight of 53.6 million tons. This is comprised of computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices, equivalent to the weight of 350 large cruise ships, according to a United Nations report.
According to the report, Libya produced 76,000 tons of e-waste in 2019, roughly 11.5 kg per person. The UN report also confirmed that e-waste has increased by 21 percent over the past five years and is expected to reach 74 million tons by 2030. This is nearly double the amount of e-waste in just 16 years.
Europe ranked first in the world in terms of per capita e-waste, with 16.2 kg, followed by Oceania in second place with 16.1 kg, and the Americas with 13.3 kg. Asia contributed 5.6 kg and Africa 2.5 kg per capita.
The report stated that electronic waste poses a threat to health and the environment as it contains toxic substances such as mercury used in television screens. Asia was the largest producer of e-waste in 2019 with a quantity of 24.9 million tons, followed by the Americas with 13.1 million tons, Europe with 12 million tons, while Africa produced 2.9 million tons and Oceania 0.7 tons.