Mountain of e-waste hits emerging markets

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Emerging markets have been one area of growth over the past year, despite the recession, but rising sales of computers and mobiles in countries like China and India have lead to an "e-waste mountain," according to a UN report.

The UN University report predicted that by 2020, the waste created by old computers will jump by 200 to 400 per cent in South Africa and China, and 500 per cent in India. Mobile phones are also a culprit, with e-waste from handsets jumping by seven times - and India a whopping 18 times - by 2020.

Materials from e-waste can often be toxic, leading to environmental problems as well as health issues for those in the area or those who unofficially recycle the materials once they hit landfill.

Konrad Osterwalder, rector of the UN University, said: “One person’s waste can be another’s raw material. The challenge of dealing with e-waste represents an important step in the transition to a green economy."

He added: "In the process, countries can help cut pollution linked with mining and manufacturing, and with the disposal of old devices.”

Read on to find out why UK group Computer Aid thinks reuse is 20 times better than recycling.

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