Electronic waste, or e-waste, continues to be one of the most pressing global issues affecting both developing and developed nations. Currently it’s estimated that e-waste accounts for roughly 70 per cent of all toxic waste globally but this figure is disputed. E-waste is growing five times faster than recycling efforts can keep up with and in 2022, the world generated 62 million tonnes of e-waste, with only 22.3% formally recycled. This is up 82 per cent since 2010 and equates to 7.8 kg per person on average.

The financial loss on the valuable materials within these products cannot be understated as $91 billion worth of technology are embedded in e-waste yet are largely lost due to poor recovery methods. A whopping 4.6 million tonnes of this e-waste is in the small IT and telecommunication equipment category, including laptops, mobile phones, GPS devices, routers etc. These devices see only a 22% documented collection and recycling rate.

This isn’t a new problem, but one that’s been steadily intensifying over the years and as we develop new technologies across a range of industries, the issue is only going to intensify, especially as consumer needs change.

Solar Panels & E-Waste

A great example of this is the solar panel industry which has seen remarkable growth in recent years, particularly in the UK. As of February 2024, government data reports a total installed solar PV capacity of 15.8 GW across nearly 1.47 million installations. This marks a 5.9% increase or 874 MW since the previous year, with 191,524 new installations added in 2023 alone, making it the second most active year for solar deployment after 2011. “The world has installed more than one terawatt of solar capacity. Ordinary solar panels have a capacity of about 400W, so if you count both rooftops and solar farms, there could be as many as 2.5 billion solar panels.,” says Dr Rong Deng, an expert in solar panel recycling at the University of New South Wales in Australia.

These figures reflect not only the public’s growing confidence in solar technology but also the nation’s accelerating shift toward renewable energy.

This transition is undeniably a step in the right direction. Clean energy production is essential for reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change. However, as we embrace technologies like solar panels, it’s crucial to also consider their full lifecycle, especially what happens when they reach the end of their useful life.

Solar panels, while environmentally beneficial during operation, are complex electronic devices. Like all electronics, they eventually become obsolete or degraded, contributing to the growing global issue of electronic waste (e-waste). Solar panels have an estimated lifespan of around 25 to 30 years. When they eventually reach the end of their operational life, they present an environmental challenge due to the hazardous materials they contain, such as lead, cadmium, and other toxic substances. Without proper disposal and recycling infrastructure, these panels risk becoming a significant environmental burden.

Projections suggest that by 2030, the world could be dealing with 2.4 million tonnes of retired photovoltaic panels, four times the 600,000 tonnes recorded in 2022. This surge in solar-related e-waste underscores the urgent need for sustainable end-of-life strategies, including recycling programs, manufacturer take-back schemes, and policy frameworks that ensure panels are responsibly dismantled and their materials recovered.

The solar revolution is a powerful force for good, but its long-term success depends on how we manage its byproducts. As adoption continues to rise, so too must our commitment to ensuring that clean energy doesn’t just start green but stays green throughout its entire lifecycle.

Health Risks of E-Waste

The environmental impact of e-waste is significant and well documented, but what’s often overlooked are the health risks tied to the toxic components found in many of these discarded devices. With the sheer volume of e-waste being generated annually, and the mix of hazardous and valuable materials embedded in them can be a serious risk to not just the environment but public health. According to Unitar (United Nations Institute for Training and Research) “Less than a quarter (22.3%) of the year’s e-waste mass was documented as having been properly collected and recycled in 2022, leaving US $62 billion worth of recoverable natural resources unaccounted for and increasing pollution risks to communities worldwide. Worldwide, the annual generation of e-waste is rising by 2.6 million tonnes annually, on track to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030, a further 33% increase from the 2022 figure.” PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or “forever chemicals”) in electronics pose risks like cancer, thyroid disorders, and immune disruption. Workers in informal recycling centres face exposure to lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants, which can lead to developmental and neurological damage. “PFAS have been detected in the samples collected from different environmental compartments (e.g., water, soil, leachate, blood sera, rainwater) at and near e-waste processing sites, landfills, and near electronics and optoelectronics industries indicating that e-waste collection, processing, and disposal sites are potential PFAS exposure locations.”

Corporate Device Management Challenges

The drastic rise in technology being used both in professional and personal capacities has only exemplified the issue. PFAS can be present in mobile phones through insulated wiring, circuit boards/semiconductors, and screen coatings with fingerprint-resistant fluoropolymers. The extent of the issue is amplified when you consider that phones have evolved far beyond their original purpose. They’re no longer just personal communication tools they’ve become deeply embedded in our professional lives. From frontline workers to executives, mobile devices are now essential to daily operations, decision-making, and productivity. Businesses upgrading frequently to stay competitive are shortening device lifecycles, increasing e-waste.

This widespread reliance on mobile technology has created an increase in the amount of e-waste produced as newer models are brought into circulation, which presents a set of challenges for businesses. IT departments are increasingly burdened not just with sourcing and managing these devices, but also with supporting them throughout their lifecycle and crucially, handling their end-of-life disposal. It’s not just about keeping track of inventory anymore; it’s about ensuring secure data wiping, responsible recycling, and compliance with environmental regulations.

A Vanson Bourne report commissioned by Tangoe highlights the scale of the burden: “100% of companies are struggling in mobile device management,” with 53% specifically facing challenges around reverse logistics, collecting, recycling, and wiping assets. That’s a staggering figure, and it underscores how universal and complex this problem has become.

To put things into perspective, “the average company is managing around 68,000 devices” (This figure is very high and may only represent larger businesses or surveyed larger businesses). That’s not just a logistical headache, it’s a potential security risk, a sustainability concern, and a financial drain if not handled properly. The sheer scale demands smarter, more integrated solutions that go beyond traditional asset management.

These solutions need to not only comply with health and safety standards but also ensure that, during disposal, sensitive data is not put at risk. The stakes are high; consumers and employees can sue organisations if their data is improperly handled and leaked. In fact, in 2022, the average cost of a data breach in the U.S. was a staggering $9.44 million, underscoring just how financially devastating poor data hygiene can be.

From outdated computers and smartphones to servers and hard drives, every piece of electronic waste (e-waste) potentially contains valuable company information that could be dangerous in the wrong hands. And with the sheer volume of devices being retired every year, the risk only grows. Currently, 81 countries have e-waste legislation, and 67 of those include Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a policy approach that holds manufacturers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, including disposal. The enforcement of e-waste policy, legislation, and regulation “remains a genuine challenge globally, and the stagnation of the global e-waste collection and recycling rate is likely exacerbated by the fact that only 46 countries have collection rate targets and only 36 have recycling rate targets.”

But legislation is just the starting point. The most critical aspect of recycling e-waste is correctly removing data from devices before they leave the organization’s control. This can be achieved through software-based erasure tools like Blancco and PhoneCheck, which verify device functionality and securely wipe data. Software solutions are often the most efficient route, especially when the device is destined for reuse, resale, or donation allowing organisations to recover value while maintaining security.

However, there are instances where digital erasure isn’t possible, for example, when devices are broken, to the point of not powering on. In this case, physical destruction becomes the preferred method. Destruction services use specialised industry-grade hardware to render drives and devices completely unreadable. Some shredders tear hard drives into tiny fragments, but newer technologies are pushing the envelope even further.

Take the DataBot from Early Upgrade, for example, a proprietary robotic tool designed to ensure data destruction and process optimisation. Instead of shredding dead devices, it uses a precise drill to erase data directly from the drive platters. This method is not only secure, but also 60 times faster than traditional shredding when factoring in the time it takes to dismantle devices. This method, unlike traditional shredding, allows for valuable parts to be salvaged, these parts can be reused to improve on and build new devices. Mazuma Business’ exclusive UK partnership with Early Upgrade positions us as the UK’s most sustainable recycler of old and unwanted business assets, by combining cutting-edge hardware with industry-leading processes to support sustainability, security and full regulatory compliance.

What’s more, their DataBot Go, a portable version of the original brings secure data destruction directly to the client’s location. This eliminates the need to transport sensitive materials offsite, reducing risk and streamlining compliance. Services like these represent a strong push toward secure, sustainable technology disposal, and they’re becoming increasingly essential as organizations grapple with growing device inventories and tightening data protection regulations.

Ultimately, mobile device management isn’t just about keeping track of assets, it’s about protecting data, reducing environmental impact, and maintaining compliance in an increasingly complex digital landscape. As technology continues to evolve, so too must our approach to managing its lifecycle. Whether through software, robotics, or policy, the goal remains the same: to ensure that every device is handled responsibly, securely, and sustainably.

At Mazuma Business, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this mission. By providing organisations secure device disposal, we not only reduce the burden of e-waste but also give devices a second life through responsible recycling and reuse. Our commitment to innovation, transparency, and environmental responsibility means that our partners can move forward with confidence knowing their old tech isn’t going to landfill, but toward a greener future. To learn more about our mission and technology disposal services we offer, get in touch with us today. We offer secure asset disposal with free collection and processing. No hidden costs and extra cash for you!

 

References:

UNITAR/ITU. 2024. Global E‑waste Monitor 2024: electronic waste rising five times faster than documented e‑waste recycling. UN news release, 20 March. [online] Available at: [https://unitar.org/about/news-stories/press/global-e-waste-monitor-2024-electronic-waste-rising-five-times-faster-documented-e-waste-recycling] [Accessed: 05/09/25].

 

Tangoe/Vanson Bourne. 2023. New Study Shows Companies Struggling With Mobile Device Management Due To Employee Turnover, Security, And Supply Chain. Press release, 7 February. [online] Available at: [https://www.tangoe.com/report/managed-mobility-services-mms-return-on-investment-and-better-security/] [Accessed: 05/09/25].

Tansel, B. (2022) ‘PFAS use in electronic products and exposure risks during handling and processing of e-waste: A review’, Journal of Environmental Management, 315, Available at: [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301479722008647] [Accessed: 05/09/25].

 

Business Wire (2023) ‘New study shows companies struggling with mobile device management due to employee turnover, security and supply chain’, Business Wire, 7 February. Available at: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230207005317/en/New-Study-Shows-Companies-Struggling-With-Mobile-Device-Management-Due-to-Employee-Turnover-Security-and-Supply-Chain [Accessed: 08/09/25].

 

Garlapati, V.K. (2016). E-waste in India and developed countries: Management, recycling, business and biotechnological initiatives. Renewable and Sustainable Energy. Available at: [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301479722008647] [Accessed: 05/09/25].

 

ITU (2024). The Global E-waste Monitor 2024. [online] ITU. Available at: https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Environment/Pages/Publications/The-Global-E-waste-Monitor-2024.aspx. [Accessed: 05/09/25].

 

WHO (2024). Electronic waste (e-waste). [online] Who.int. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/electronic-waste-%28e-waste%29. [Accessed: 05/09/25].

 

Topic: Electronic Waste Worldwide. [online] Statista. Available at: https://www.statista.com/topics/3409/electronic-waste-worldwide/. Accessed: 05/09/25].

 

Ruiz, A. (2024). 14 Shocking E-Waste Statistics In 2022 – The Roundup. [online] theroundup.org. Available at: https://theroundup.org/global-e-waste-statistics/.[Accessed: 05/09/25].

 

Electronic Waste Recycling Statistics: Surprising Global Trends – Infographic Website. [online] Infographic Website. Available at: https://infographicsite.com/infographic/electronic-waste-recycling-statistics/. [Accessed: 05/09/25].

 

Barshai, A. (2023). Global E-waste Statistics. [online] Emew.com. Available at: https://emew.com/blog/global-e-waste-statistics. [Accessed: [05/09/25]

 

Chen, S. (2024). Recycling E-Waste Without Compromising Data: A Business Guide. [online] Blog For Data-Driven Business. Available at: https://www.intellspot.com/secure-e-waste-recycling-guide/ [Accessed: 08/09/25].

 

Rourke, E. (2024). Solar Panel Statistics UK (2024) – Solar Advice. [online] Solar Advice. Available at: https://solaradvice.co.uk/solar-panel-statistics-uk/. [Accessed: 08/09/25].

 

Electronics For You. (2025). Solar E-Waste: A Growing Challenge For Sustainability. [online] Available at: https://www.electronicsforu.com/market-verticals/solar-e-waste-growing-challenge-sustainability. [Accessed: 08/09/25].

 

Global Ewaste Statistics. [online] lumenloop.co.uk. Available at: https://lumenloop.co.uk/global-ewaste-statistics/. [Accessed: 08/09/25].

 

‌Guardian staff reporter (2020). Cosmetics, cellphones, guitar strings: where we found ‘forever chemicals’. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/dec/14/pfas-chemicals-health-makeup-phones-water. [Accessed: 08/09/25].

 

E-waste and environmental Sustainability. [online] S2S Group. Available at: https://s2s.uk.com/news-insights-resources/e-waste-environmental-sustainability-2/ [Accessed: 08/09/25].

Gordon, D. (2023). Solar panels – an eco-disaster waiting to happen? BBC News. [online] 3 Jun. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65602519. [Accessed: 08/09/25].