Today is Earth Day. On this day we call for reflection on our consumption behavior and its impact on our planet. Swappie is the largest refurbisher of iPhones in Europe and has conducted research into this and emphasizes the need for more awareness and education about e-waste and its consequences for the environment.

Megan van der Wagt

The research shows that there is an urgent need for more awareness and education about the impact of e-waste. Swappie conducted a pan-European survey to gauge people’s knowledge and awareness of sustainable habits, carbon footprint and the impact of e-waste on the planet. The result is a worrying and urgent need for greater awareness across all age groups, with the lack of knowledge about e-waste and its serious consequences clearly highlighted.

Amount of e-waste
A record amount of 62 million tons of e-waste will be produced in 2022, according to research by the United Nations. This is an increase of 82% compared to 2010. In 2030 this figure will increase by a further 32% to 82 million tonnes. As many as 72.8% of Dutch respondents were unaware of the expected increase of 75 million tons of electronic waste in 2030, which is equivalent to throwing away 1,000 laptops per second.

E-waste production per person in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands, e-waste per person in 2022 amounted to 22.1 kg. Only 28.6% of respondents correctly estimated their annual e-waste production.

Education and action: need to reverse negative trend
Globally, e-waste production is increasing by 2.6 million tonnes annually, while the recycling rate is falling from 22.3% in 2022 to just 20% in 2030. Not only do these figures highlight the urgent need for more education and action to tackle this negative trend, Swappie’s research also emphasizes this importance. Only a minority (40%) of Dutch respondents indicated that they were very concerned about their ecological footprint and impact on the environment.

Martine Hardeveld Kleuver, Benelux Country Lead at Swappie: “These research results emphasize the importance of raising awareness about e-waste and its harmful effects on our planet. It is clear that consumers have a strong desire to make more informed choices to limit their impact on the environment. But the responsibility doesn’t end there. At Swappie we promise to commit ourselves to making more and more people aware of e-waste and how everyone can contribute to improving the world.”

Continuous commitment Swappie
Swappie remains committed to environmental education and sustainability, with the aim of providing people with knowledge to combat e-waste and reduce CO2 emissions. As part of its Earth Day Initiatives, Swappie will launch educational campaigns and resources to help people better understand and address the challenges of e-waste.

The survey was conducted via email to the entire Swappie community in various markets. Questions were asked about e-waste, ecological footprint and individual impact.