Global E-Waste Management Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

Global E-Waste Management Market Outlook

The global e-waste management market size was around USD 70.1 billion in the year 2023. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11.8% between 2024 and 2032, reaching a value of nearly USD 195 billion by 2032.

Key Trends in the Market

E-waste or electronic waste is a term used to refer to old or discarded electronic gadgets, including phones, batteries, medical equipment, home appliances, computers, and televisions, among others. E-waste management is the process of properly disposing and managing this waste. The process involves the collection, transportation, recycling, refurbishing, and disposing of electronic waste in an environmentally friendly manner to reduce its negative impact on the environment and human health.

• Modern technological advancements and digital revolution are contributing to developments in new electronic devices. As technologies keep getting updated, the products are becoming obsolete at a faster rate, thus generating e-waste in large amounts. As a result, developed and developing countries are focussing on the proper disposal and recycling of e-waste, thereby driving the e-waste management market demand.

• Since e-waste contains valuable resources, such as gold, silver, and copper, that can be recovered and recycled, it reduces the need for new mining processes. As a result, it contributes to reduced pollution and lowering greenhouse gas emissions involved in the mining process.

• Rising environmental consciousness and awareness regarding e-waste management’s role in lowering environmental pollution, conserving natural resources and energy, and promoting sustainability, is expected to favour the e-waste management market growth.

Market Analysis

E-waste management is segmented based on processed material into metal, plastic, glass, and others. The sources of e-waste include household appliances (large household appliances and small household appliances), consumer electronics (handheld electronics, IT accessories, IT equipment, and others), and industrial electronics. The e-waste management applications include disposal and recycled. The e-waste management market segmentation based on region includes North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

The comprehensive EMR report provides an in-depth assessment of the market based on the Porter’s five forces model along with giving a SWOT analysis. The report gives a detailed analysis of the following key players in the global e-waste management market, covering their competitive landscape and the latest developments like mergers, acquisitions, investments, and expansion plans.

• Umicore SA 

• Sembcorp Industries Ltd.  

• Electronic Recyclers International, Inc. 

• Sims Limited

• Tetronics Environmental Waste Treatment 

• Veolia Environment SA

• Enviro Hub Holdings Pte Ltd.

• Capital Environment Holdings Limited

• Waste Management Holdings, Inc.

• Desco Electronic Recyclers

• Others

E-Waste Management Market Share by Processed Material

E-waste is made up of several base and precious metals that can be recycled and reused. Effectively recovering metals from electronic devices provides a crucial ecological benefit, such as reducing the demand for mining ore. As a result, it lowers investment in energy-intensive mining processes that lead to the destruction of natural habitats and ecosystems. Further, the rising awareness of the no-biodegradability of plastic and its toxic effect on the health of plants and microbes is contributing to recycling plastic-based e-waste. Further, recycled glass from e-waste finds varied applications, such as in the development of glass tiles.

Market Share by Region

According to the e-waste management market analysis, the Asia Pacific and Europe together accounts for a major share of the overall market. In 2020, Asia generated the highest e-waste globally, accounting for 24.9 metric tons (Mt). Further, Asia had an e-waste recycling rate of 11.7%. Meanwhile, Europe generated 12 Mt of e-waste and held the largest recycling rate globally, at 42.5%. Regulations for managing e-waste are crucial contributors to market growth. For instance, the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive encourages the safe and responsible collection, recycling, and recovery procedures for all types of e-waste. It also imposes the responsibility for disposing of e-waste on the manufacturers or distributors of such equipment.

Competitive Landscape

Umicore SA, headquartered in Belgium and founded in 1805, uses advanced recycling technology to recover around 28 different metals from e-waste, such as printed circuit boards, cell phones, spent rechargeable batteries, and others.

Electronic Recyclers International, Inc., founded in 2002 and based in California, USA is one of the largest recyclers of e-waste globally to de-manufacture and recycle computer monitors, televisions, and other types of electronic equipment. ERI processes over 250 million pounds of e-waste annually at its facilities in California, Colorado, North Carolina, Washington, Indiana, Massachusetts, and Texas. The company operates the largest and the highest-capacity shredder in North America.

Desco Electronic Recyclers is one of the largest e-waste recyclers in South Africa, founded in 1992. Desco uses its advanced pre-processing technology to physically upgrade recycled waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) into varied fraction sizes of metallic concentrates.

Other market players include Sembcorp Industries Ltd., Sims Limited, Tetronics Environmental Waste Treatment, Veolia Environment SA, Enviro Hub Holdings Pte Ltd., Capital Environment Holdings Limited, and Waste Management Holdings, Inc., among others.

Key Highlights of the Report

E-Waste Management Market Report Snapshots

E-Waste Management Market Size

E-Waste Management Market Analysis

E-Waste Management Market Share

E-Waste Management Companies