In 2019, only 17.4 per cent of total e-waste generated globally was documented as formally collected and recycled.17 Even countries with relatively mature e-waste systems have low collection rates. For instance, Europe despite having the highest collection and recycling rate is only at 42.5 per cent.18 The push towards a circular economy has provided stakeholders across the value chain with an impetus to initiate systemic improvements and invest in infrastructure and awareness raising. Yet, on-ground implementation challenges are holding back stakeholders from creating a more efficient and circular system. Some of the challenges faced by stakeholders in the value chain are highlighted below.

• Insufficient and unreliable data on stocks and flows of e-waste
• Information asymmetry and limited trust
• Informal and illegal material flows
• Insufficient consumer participation
• Inefficient e-waste management processes