E-waste statistics: Guidelines on classifications, reporting and indicators.

Abstract

The Partnership on Measuring ICT for development is aiming to create an internationally recognized framework for global statistics to evaluate the fate of electronic products and the resulting e-waste flows. Endorsed by
ESCAP, ESCWA, ITU, OECD, UNCTAD, UNECA, EUROSTAT, UNEP/SBC, UNU.

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MEASURING E-WASTE

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
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Endorsed by

E-waste statistics

reporting and indicators
2015

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Acknowledgements:
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Partnership for Measuring ICT for Development 
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
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













Foreword

6


Introduction





International trade and production statistics






Indicators




Conclusions




7
Table of Contents












20












8

















9
Abstract

10

11
Introduction
The worldwide use of information and









































In order to understand the dynamics of this








and measurement would help to interpret

















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





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
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
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












Criteria for e-waste classications





12












UNU-KEYS






























data can provide consistent and harmonised

1 The indicative link between the UNU-KEYS and the HS codes can be downloaded here: http://i.unu.edu/media/ias.unu.
edu-en/project/2238/UNU-KEYS-to-HS-Codes.xls

13
Table 1. Detailed description of the UNU product classication and its correlation to other e-waste classications 2
2 The UNU-KEYS are also proposed as a part of the common methodology for making the target calculations for the recast
of the EU WEEE Directive. In order to be adopted as a standard, countries should ideally comment on its practical use for
measuring WEEE in their country. The link between the UNU-KEYS and the EU WEEE Directive can be downloaded here:
http://i.unu.edu/media/ias.unu.edu-en/project/2238/UNU-KEYS-and-EU-WEEE-Directive-Annex.xlsx
0001
0002
0101
0102
0103
0104
0105
0106
0108
0109
0111
0112
0113
0114
0201
0202
0203
0204
0205
0301
0302
0303
0304
0305
0306
0307
0308
0309
0401
0402
0403
0404
0405
0406
0407


Central Heating (household installed)
Photovoltaic Panels (incl. converters)
Professional Heating & Ventilation (excl. cooling equipment)
Dishwashers
Kitchen (f.i. large furnaces, ovens, cooking equipment)
Washing Machines (incl. combined dryers)
Dryers (wash dryers, centrifuges)
Household Heating & Ventilation (f.i. hoods, ventilators, space heaters)
Fridges (incl. combi-fridges)
Freezers
Air Conditioners (household installed and portable)
Other Cooling (f.i. dehumidiers, heat pump dryers)
Professional Cooling (f.i. large air conditioners, cooling displays)
Microwaves (incl. combined, excl. grills)
Other Small Household (f.i. small ventilators, irons, clocks, adapters)
Food (f.i. toaster, grills, food processing, frying pans)
Hot Water (f.i. coee, tea, water cookers)
Vacuum Cleaners (excl. professional)
Personal Care (f.i. tooth brushes, hair dryers, razors)
Small IT (f.i. routers, mice, keyboards, external drives & accessories)
Desktop PCs (excl. monitors, accessories)
Laptops (incl. tablets)
Printers (f.i. scanners, multifunctionals, faxes)
Telecom (f.i. (cordless) phones, answering machines)
Mobile Phones (incl. smartphones, pagers)
Professional IT (f.i. servers, routers, data storage, copiers)
Cathode Ray Tube Monitors
Flat Display Panel Monitors (LCD, LED)
Small Consumer Electronics (f.i. headphones, remote controls)
Portable Audio & Video (f.i. MP3, e-readers, car navigation)
Music Instruments, Radio, HiFi (incl. audio sets)
Video (f.i. Video recorders, DVD, Blue Ray, set-top boxes)
Speakers
Cameras (f.i. camcorders, photo & digital still cameras)
Cathode Ray Tube TVs
Description
Large equipment
Large equipment
Large equipment
Large equipment
Large equipment
Large equipment
Large equipment
Large equipment
Cooling and Freezing
Cooling and Freezing
Cooling and Freezing
Cooling and Freezing
Cooling and Freezing
Small equipment
Small equipment
Small equipment
Small equipment
Small equipment
Small equipment
Small IT
Small IT
Screens
Small IT
Small IT
Small IT
Large equipment
Screens
Screens
Small equipment
Small equipment
Small equipment
Small equipment
Small equipment
Small equipment
Screens


out of scope
out of scope
01
01
01
01
01
01
01
01
01
01
01
01
02
02
02
02
02
03
03
03
03
03
03
03
03
03
04
04
04
04
04
04
04


Directive

14
years and serve as an alternative data source

Statistical use of the UNU-KEYS:













product composition of the products within a



EU-WEEE-Directives

















0408
0501
0502
0503
0504
0505
0506
0507
0601
0602
0701
0702
0703
0801
0802
0901
0902
1001
1002
Flat Display Panel TVs (LCD, LED, Plasma)
Lamps (f.i. pocket, Christmas, excl. LED & incandescent)
Compact Fluorescent Lamps (incl. retrot & non-retrot)
Straight Tube Fluorescent Lamps
Special Lamps (f.i. professional mercury, high & low pressure sodium)
LED Lamps (incl. retrot LED lamps & household LED luminaires)
Household Luminaires (incl. household incandescent ttings)
Professional Luminaires (oces, public space, industry)
Household Tools (f.i. drills, saws, high pressure cleaners, lawn mowers)
Professional Tools (f.i. for welding, soldering, milling)
Toys (f.i. car racing sets, electric trains, music toys, biking computers)
Game Consoles
Leisure (f.i. large exercise, sports equipment)
Household Medical (f.i. thermometers, blood pressure meters)
Professional Medical (f.i. hospital, dentist, diagnostics)
Household Monitoring & Control (alarm, heat, smoke, excl. screens)
Professional Monitoring & Control (f.i. laboratory, control panels)
Non Cooled Dispensers (f.i. for vending, hot drinks, tickets, money)
Cooled Dispensers (f.i. for vending, cold drinks)
Screens
Lamps
Lamps
Lamps
Lamps
Lamps
Small equipment
Small equipment
Small equipment
Large equipment
Small equipment
Small IT
Large equipment
Small equipment
Large equipment
Small equipment
Large equipment
Large equipment
Cooling and Freezing
04
05
05
05
05
05
05
05
06
06
07
07
07
08
08
09
09
10
10
 Description




Directive

15



































Table 2. LoW codes that refer to e-waste
Single-use cameras containing batteries included in 16 06 01, 16 06 02 or 16 06 03
Transformers and capacitors containing PCBs
Discarded equipment containing or contaminated by PCBs other than those mentioned in
16 02 09
Discarded equipment containing chlorouorocarbons, HCFC, HFC
Discarded equipment containing free asbestos
Discarded equipment containing hazardous components other than those mentioned in 16
02 09 to 16 02 12
Fluorescent tubes and other mercury-containing waste
Discarded equipment containing chlorouorocarbons
Discarded electrical and electronic equipment other than those mentioned in 20 01 21 and
20 01 23 containing hazardous components
09 01 11*
16 02 09*
16 02 10*
16 02 11*
16 02 12*
16 02 13*
20 01 21*
20 01 23*
20 01 35*
Hazardous
Single-use cameras without batteries
Single-use cameras containing batteries other than those mentioned in 09 01 11
Discarded equipment other than those mentioned in 16 02 09 to 16 02 13
Discarded electrical and electronic equipment other than those mentioned in 20 01 21, 20
01 23 and 20 01 35
09 01 10
09 01 12
16 02 14
20 01 36
Non - Hazardous

16



International trade and production
statistics






















European List of Wastes










which are structured into 20 chapters mainly




types is laid out in the introduction of Decision














differences in environmental relevance and





Classication of E-waste under the
Basel Convention3







 It is important to note that




3 Extracted from the 23 Dec 2013 version of the Draft technical guidelines on transboundary movements of e-waste
and used electrical and electronic equipment, in particular regarding the distinction between waste and non-
waste under the Basel Convention which is available at: http://www.basel.int/Implementation/TechnicalMatters/
DevelopmentofTechnicalGuidelines/Ewaste/tabid/2377/Default.aspx
4 Extracted from the 23 Dec 2013 version of the Draft technical guidelines on transboundary movements of e-waste
and used electrical and electronic equipment, in particular regarding the distinction between waste and non-
waste under the Basel Convention which is available at: http://www.basel.int/Implementation/TechnicalMatters/
DevelopmentofTechnicalGuidelines/Ewaste/tabid/2377/Default.aspx

17



















components and wires) destined for direct reuse
















5 Extracted from the 23 Dec 2013 version of the Draft technical guidelines on transboundary movements of e-waste
and used electrical and electronic equipment, in particular regarding the distinction between waste and non-
waste under the Basel Convention which is available at: http://www.basel.int/Implementation/TechnicalMatters/
DevelopmentofTechnicalGuidelines/Ewaste/tabid/2377/Default.aspx
6 PCBs are at a concentration level of 50 mg/kg or more.
7 This entry does not include scrap from electrical power generation.
8 Reuse can include repair, refurbishment or upgrading, but not major reassembly.
9 In some countries these materials destined for direct reuse are not considered wastes.
10 The following list of components or constituents are non-exhaustive examples.

18








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
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System of Environmental-Economic
Accounting
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on the environment and its relationship with
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







19















Correlations between the
classications






























Table 3. Correlations between various classications to gather or disseminate data for e-waste statistics
UNU-KEYS
EU List of Waste
(LoW)
Basel Codes
EU WEEE
Directive, 6
categories
EU WEEE
Directive, 10
categories
UNU-KEYS HS LoW Basel Code
WEEE Directive
6 categories
1 HS codes unique links
to the UNU-KEYS.
HS
Not directly correlated Not directly linked, due to
diering concepts of waste in
HS classication and LoW
Not directly correlated Not directly correlated Not directly
correlated
Not directly
correlated
Not directly
correlated
1 HS codes can be correlated
to the 6 categories of the
WEEE-Directive
One UNU-KEY can
be correlated to the 6
categories
1 HS codes can be correlated
to the 10 categories of the
WEEE-Directive
One UNU-KEY links to
a category in the WEEE
Directive
Not directly
correlated
Not directly
correlated
Not directly
correlated

Figure 1. Proposed measurement framework for e-waste statistics
There are only a few comprehensive data
























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Framework on e-waste statistics







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
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
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








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
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


















22







analysis of residual waste demonstrates that











is measured in a separate section and ideally
allows for policy analysis of an individual



Table 4. List of parameters that can be used to gather data for e-waste statistics.
Parameter Statistical Unit Comment
Sales Enterprises (in retail)
Sales (apparent
consumption
method)
Register based: Trade: HS
codes in registers from
international trade
Domestic production, mainly
from NACE 25 ; 26
The classication should be linked to UNU-KEYS. A link between HS
and UNU-KEYS is provided in Annex 1.
Trade data is available for all countries. Imports and exports are
sometimes mixed with e-waste. A small impact is expected.
Possession of
EEE
Households and enterprises
(based on kind of activity for
whole NACE)
If households are enquired in related surveys, then also sales and
disposal of e-waste can be enquired in the same questionnaire.
Ocial
collection of
e-waste
Enterprises with kind of
activity collection of waste
(NACE 38) and municipalities
E-waste in
waste bin
No statistical information Sorting analysis of residual waste can be available for individual
countries or regions. This is mainly an issue for rich economies.
Export of
e-waste
Any exporter Currently, HS codes are unsuitable to measure this, as there is no
specic code for e-waste at HS level. E-waste is mainly traded using
the same HS code as the new product, or waste processing as scrap
(metal scrap, plastic scrap, etc.).
Import of
e-waste
Any importer Currently, HS codes are unsuitable to measure this, as there is no
specic code for e-waste at HS level. E-waste is mainly traded using
the same HS code as the new product, or waste processing as scrap
(metal scrap, plastic scrap, etc.).
Lifetime of
products
No statistical information Mainly modelled through input-output analysis of stock levels and
sales per UNU-KEY [2]. A Weibull distribution function is a suitable
mathematical model. The lifetime proles for the Netherlands (relevant
for the rest of EU and other economies) are listed in Annex 2. Please
be aware that sampling of the waste stream typically provides a
biased result, as only the end-of-life characteristics from that waste
stream are sampled, and may not be representative for e-waste
generated.

23
Reporting e-waste statistics and disseminating
results
Table 5. Reporting matrix in kg/inh (kilogram per inhabitant) (with simulated data). Find the denitions
above.
Total (kg/inh)
Temperature
Exchange
Equipment
Screens and
Monitors Lamps
Large
Equipment
Small
Equipment
Small IT
Equipment
EEE put on market 26.5 9.8 ... ... ... ... 3.6
E-waste generated 22.5 8.0 ... ... ... ... 3.2
E-waste formally collected 7.4 6.1 ... ... ... ... 3.2
E-waste recycled with other
waste streams 10.1 2.3 ... ... ... ... 1.1
E-waste exported 4.0 1.0 ... ... ... ... 0.3
E-waste in waste bin 1.0 0.0 ... ... ... ... 0.4













the amount of discarded electrical or

consumption within national territory



































2;











24
Indicators
Table 6. Proposed indicators for measuring e-waste statistics in 2010 [3,9,10,19,20]
Netherlands Italy Belgium France
Total EEE put on
market (kg/inh) 26.5 18.9 26.2 24.3
Total e-waste
generated (kg/inh) 23.7 18.3 22.4 19.6
E-waste Collected
(WEEE Directive
reporting) (kg/inh)
7.7 9.6 9.7 6.9
E-waste Collection
Rate (percentage) 32 52 43 35









differences in countries performances should



This represents the size of the national


This represents the size of the national






This indicator represents the
performance of the formal collection







25
Minimum requirements for e-waste statistics


information to construct the indicators in










air conditioners; or
• The product contains environmentally


conditioners; or






and



























products and to move towards the other rows


26
Example 1: 
Figure 2. Preliminary sales data for laptops derived from Eurostat’s database in kg of products per
inhabitant for selected European countries.

for how the statistical codes from Prodcom







This was used in the “apparent consumption








to perform those calculations are provided in




27
Example 2: 
Table 7. Summary table of the e-waste ows in the Netherlands
Total (kg/inh)
Temperature
Exchange
Equipment
Screens and
Monitors Lamps
Large
Equipment
Small
Equipment
Small IT
Equipment Professional
Put on
Market EEE 26.5 3.9 2.5 0.3 7.9 7.5 3.0 1.5
Total
e-waste 23.7 3.0 3.7 0.2 6.4 6.4 3.0 1.0
E-waste:
collection 7.5 1.5 1.9 0.1 1.9 1.6 0.6 0.0
E-waste:
recycling
with other
waste
streams 6.6 0.4 0.5 0.0 2.8 1.5 0.7 0.6
E-waste:
collected
and
exported
(estimate) 2.7 0.6 0.9 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.6 0.2
E-waste: in
waste bin 2.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 1.6 0.5 0.0
Undoc-
umented
e-waste 4.6 0.5 0.5 N/A 1.4 1.5 0.6 0.2
































28
Example 3: 
Figure 3. Sales of major electrical and electronic equipment in China (1995-2011)




















The data was calculated from the statistic
survey to ascertain the amount of possessed






29
Figure 4. Stock of EEE in Chinese households (2006-2011)
Figure 5. Generation of e-waste in China 2001-2011 (in million of tonnes)


The data was calculated from the statistic
survey to ascertain the amount of possessed






30
Conclusions


















31
Literature












































  
 

 
 

 

 Dishwashers  
 

 

 
dryers)
 

 
dryers)
 

 
dryers)
 

 
dryers)
 

   
   

   
 

 

 

 
 

 

   

other
   
type
   

   

   
capacity
   
capacity
32
Annex 1: Link between the UNU-KEYS and HS code

33
 

 

 

 

 

 
unit
 
pump dryers)
 

 

 

 

 
showcases
 

 
   
 

 
 

 

 

 
household scales
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 
with hands
 

 

 

 
other
 

 

 

 
with hands

34
 

 

 

 
other
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 Time switches
 

 
mechanical display
 

 

 

 
nes
 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

0202 

 

0202 

 
0202 

 
nes
 

 
water heaters

35
 

 
   



   

   
contained electric motor
   Domestic vacuum cleaners
 

 
motor
 

 
electric motor
 

 
 

 Electric hair dryers
 

 
nes
 

 
 

 Typewriters other than printers of


 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
internal power
 

 
power
 

 

 

 

36
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 Electrical machines and
 
accessoires)
 
 
accessoires)
 
 
accessoires)
 
   
 

 




 

 







 

 
 

 Teleprinters
 

 
 

 



 

 
 

 
apparatus

37
 

 
 

 





 

 Elect apparatus for line
 

 
 

 
 

 
etc
 

 


handsets
 

 




 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 
process

38
 

 
process
 

 

 

 

 

 
   Color video monitors
   
   



   



   
principally used in an automatic data

   
principally used in an automatic data

   
electronic displays
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

39
 

 


 

 



 

 

 
audio sets)
 
 
audio sets)
 

 
audio sets)
 
 
audio sets)
 



 
audio sets)
 
 
audio sets)
 
 
audio sets)
 
 
audio sets)
 

means of payment
 
audio sets)
 

 
audio sets)
 
 
audio sets)
 
 
audio sets)
 

 
audio sets)
 
 
audio sets)
 

40
 
audio sets)
 



 
audio sets)
 

 
audio sets)
 
 
audio sets)
 
 
audio sets)
 

 
audio sets)
 
power source
 
audio sets)
 
 
audio sets)
 
 
audio sets)
 

 
audio sets)
 
sound reproduction
 
audio sets)
 

 
audio sets)
 
sound reproducer
 

 

 

 

 

 Television cameras
 

 

reception apparatus
 

 
 

 



41
 

 
principally used in an automatic data

 

 


 

 
apparatus
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 
microform
 

 
other than cine
 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
   
enclosure
   

 
still cameras)
 
 
still cameras)
 
video camera recorders
   Color television receive
   

42
   




 
Plasma)
 



 

 
lamps
   
   
 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
lamps
 

 
Christmas trees
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
electric motor
 

 
electric motor
 

 


43
 

 
 

 
 

 
and apparatus ne
 

 
automatic
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 


 

 
 

 
 

 

   
receiver
 

 

 

 

 

 
accessories
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

44
 

 
 

 
 

 
apparatus
 

 

 

 
 

 





 

 
 

 
properties of metals
 

 
properties nes
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
pressure
 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 




45
 

 

 

 Electrical measurement instruments
nes
 

 
 

 Thermostats
 

 
 

 Theodolites and tacheometers
 

 
 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 

46
Annex 2: 
France and Belgium
EEE



α (shape) β (scale)
1. Large household appliance
  
  
  
  
  
 2
  
  
  
  
  
  
2. Small household appliances
  
0202  
  
  
  
3. IT and telecom equipment
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
4. Consumer equipment
  
  
  
  
  
  
 2
  
5. Lighting equipment
  
  
  
  
  
  
 2
6. Electrical and electronic tools
 2
  

  
  
  

  
  
9. Monitoring and control instruments
  
  
10. Automatic dispensers
  
 2

47
UNU-KEY 1995 2000 2005 2010 2011 2012
      
0002      
      
      
      
      
      
      
 
      
      
 
      
      
      
      
      
0202      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
Annex 3: 

48
UNU-KEY 1995 2000 2005 2010 2011 2012
0406      
0407   
0408    
0501      
0502      
0503      
0504      
0505   
0506      
0507      
0601      
0602      
0701      
0702      
0703      
0801      
0802      
0901      
0902      
1001      
1002      

49

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United Nations University (UNU)
The United Nations University is an international community of scholars engaged in research,
postgraduate training and the dissemination of knowledge in furtherance of the purposes and
principles of the United Nations, its Peoples and Member States. The University functions as a
think tank for the United Nations system, contributes to capacity building, particularly in developing
countries, and serves as a platform for new and innovative ideas and dialogue.
UNU Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)











UNU-IAS Operating Unit Sustainable Cycles (UNU-IAS SCYCLE)





 
 
 
such support;
 
 


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Partnership on Measuring ICT for development









Task Group on Measuring E-waste




Members of the Task Group on Measuring E-waste:










United Nations University,
Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, Operating Unit SCYCLE
Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany