United Nations agencies have warned that waste from electronics is piling up worldwide while recycling rates remain low and are likely to fall even further.Related video above: Firefighters warn of danger posed by lithium-ion batteriesThe agencies were referring to 'e-waste,' which is defined as discarded devices with a plug or battery, including cellphones, electronic toys, TVs, microwave ovens, e-cigarettes, laptop computers and solar panels.
'The latest research shows that the global challenge posed by e-waste is only going to grow,' said Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, head of the ITU telecommunication development bureau. 'With less than half of the world implementing and enforcing approaches to manage the problem, this raises the alarm for sound regulations to boost collection and recycling.