A new study indicates Canada's electronic waste has more than tripled in the last two decades and is expected to keep increasing, with researchers urging better e-waste management to reduce environmental harm and bring economic rewards.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo conducted a comprehensive estimate of e-waste in Canada going back as far as 1971 in order to better understand the lifecycle of electronic items from point of sale to disposal.
The research indicates Canadians produced nearly one million tonnes of e-waste in 2020 alone, and that's expected to reach 1.2 million tonnes annually by 2030.
Lead researcher Komal Habib says the rising rate of electronic consumption is due to the increased pace of technological development, shorter device lifespan and consumer habits.
Yet she says Canada's e-waste recycling infrastructure has not developed at a pace in line with electronics development.
Habib is calling for governments and tech producers to work together to better manage rising e-waste, which she says is full of precious and critical minerals and could create a secondary supply chain if managed properly.
But she's also calling for consumers to reduce their electronics consumption and look for opportunities to repair or extend the life of their products where possible.