GSMA Releases New Report Highlighting e-waste Management in Latin America

Usage of electronic devices such as personal computers, television sets, radios, mobile phones, tablets and routers are increasing and this is making way for piling up of e-waste, as these products reach the end of their life cycle.

Recently, GSMA (News - Alert), a consortium that represents the interests of mobile operators worldwide, has conducted a survey during 2009 and 2013 which studied the impact that mobile operators are bringing, to increase e-waste management through a range of voluntary projects across the region.

The newly released report “eWaste in Latin America”, studies the electronic waste (e-waste) inventiveness taken by mobile operators in Latin America, including Antel (Uruguay), Cable & Wireless (News - Alert) (Panama), Claro (Peru), Entel (Chile), Nextel (Mexico), Oi (Brazil), Telcel (Mexico), Telecom Personal (Argentina), Telefónica Movistar (Ecuador and Panama), Telefónica Vivo (Brazil), Tigo (El Salvador) and TIM (Brazil).

The report also highlights that in Latin America, e-waste, also known as waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), is growing by 17.5 percent, from 4.22 kilotonnes in 2012 to 4.96 kilotonnes in 2015.

To stop this constant growth of WEEE, mobile operators in the region are developing programs, campaigns and projects to treat e-waste, such as mobile phones, batteries and accessories, in compliance with local and international environmental legislation.

“Over the past two decades, the proliferation of technology and widespread adoption of electronic devices, such as PCs, televisions, radios, mobile phones, tablets and routers, has led to an unprecedented amount of electronic waste, which is expected to reach 57.5 kilotonnes globally by 2015,” stated Sebastian Cabello, director, GSMA Latin America.

Cabello said that the GSMA is proud to see that mobile operators are already working to address this issue in Latin America, a region that will produce nearly nine per cent of the world’s e-waste by 2015.

Latin American mobile network operators (MNOs) are also involved in introducing recycling plants and programs, conducting reforestation efforts and carrying out awareness campaigns, among other activities.