Baghdad: Iraq produces approximately 150,000 tons of electronic waste annually, posing an increasing environmental and health threat due to the absence of a specialized national management system. According to National Iraqi News Agency, the Green Iraq Observatory has raised alarms over the situation, highlighting its potential risks to soil and water.

The observatory relies on data from the UN’s Global E-waste Monitor 2024 report, which noted that global electronic waste production reached 62 million tons in 2022, with projections indicating a rise to 82 million tons by 2030. The Iraq Green Observatory’s estimates, based on population size and international e-waste generation rates, indicate that Baghdad alone contributes between 60,000 to 90,000 tons annually, while Basra adds approximately 25,000 to 40,000 tons.

A significant portion of this waste is improperly disposed of, ending up in municipal landfills or being dismantled and burned in informal scrap yards. This process releases up to a thousand harmful chemicals, including lead, mercury, cadmium, and dioxins. The World Health Organization has confirmed these substances pollute the environment, posing serious health risks, particularly to children and workers at uncontrolled dismantling sites.

The observatory highlighted the economic implications, noting that globally, around $91 billion worth of recoverable raw materials from e-waste is lost each year due to inefficient collection and recycling systems. In response, it advocates for the swift enactment of national legislation to manage electronic waste, the creation of specialized recycling centers, and the banning of indiscriminate disposal and dismantling practices. Additionally, it calls for importers to reclaim used devices when selling new ones and urges the launch of national awareness campaigns to educate the public on the dangers of improper electronic waste disposal.