The United Nations University (UNU) estimates that each person in Western Europe
generates 14 to 24 kg of e-waste per year. In total, UNU suggests that some 8.3 to 9.1 million
tons of e-waste occurred across the European Union’s 27 member states in 2005. Currently,
it is estimated that 25% of the medium sized appliances and 40% of the larger appliances are
collected and treated.22 The rest, the remaining 60% to 75%, represents what Greenpeace
International calls “the hidden flow”.23 It might be stored or disposed of otherwise within the EU,
but given the reports from developing countries parts of this “hidden flow” is being exported for
reuse, recycling or disposal in, for example, Asia and Africa. Moreover, also some of the collected
material might be exported to developing countries.