Which statement about global e-waste generation is correct?

• A. 20 million
• B. Global e-waste generation is about 50 million tonnes per year
• C. 100 million
• D. 70 million

Answer: (B)

Global e-waste generation is enormous, and the most widely cited estimate today is about fifty million tonnes per year. This figure comes from compiling discarded electronics from households and businesses worldwide—phones, laptops, TVs, and other devices—and reflects trends like increasing device ownership, shorter lifespans, and population growth. International studies and reports regularly publish this ballpark estimate, noting that exact numbers vary by year and methodology, but fifty million tonnes is the standard benchmark used in most discussions. Other numbers offered don’t line up with these well-known estimates, which is why this option best represents the typical global scale. Understanding this helps underscore the scale of the challenge in collecting, recycling, and safely disposing of e-waste.