E-waste management and recycling: Game changer under Global Development Initiatives

With the growing number of companies complying with environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) reporting in their financial reports, the world is heading towards creating a sustainable economy. China’s President Xi Jinping has called for international collaboration on the Global Development Initiatives (GDI) proposal in line with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Under the GDI, two key focus areas are digitalisation and green development. However, the rising production of electronic components driven by digitalisation poses a potential environmental issue if inappropriately disposed of or managed. Thus, effective E-waste management and recycling would be a game changer to ensure sustainability in line with GDI goals.

Furthermore, with the growing emphasis on sustainable energy development, the production of electronic components, devices, and renewable energy technologies needed to produce sustainable energy has also increased. While these advancements offer numerous benefits for economic growth and environmental protection, they also pose a significant challenge in terms of electronic waste generation.