E-waste in the context of digitalization: challenges for sustainable development and circular economy perspectives

Abstract

The article examines the role of digitalization in sustainable growth. The study emphasises that the expansion of digital technologies creates new opportunities for economic growth but simultaneously accelerates the formation of electronic waste. The relevance of the topic is determined by the growing scale of e-waste, low recycling rates, unequal regional distribution of environmental negative effects, and the need to incorporate digital transformation into principles of sustainable development. The purpose of the study is to substantiate the relationship between digitalization, the growth of electronic waste, and the transition to circular economy approaches as a basis for sustainable development and inclusive growth. In addition, the study aims to analyse the transboundary movement of e-waste and to justify the relevance of applying circular economy principles for the effective management of electronic waste. The study identifies the main factors behind the production growth of e-waste, including rising consumption of digital devices, shorter product life cycle, insufficient regulation, and the expansion of uncontrolled transboundary e-waste flows. The study demonstrates that the regional disparities in digital access, waste generation, and recycling capacity reveal the asymmetry between countries that benefit most from digitalization and those that bear a disproportionate share of its environmental costs. The results of the study show that the circular economy offers the effective framework for managing electronic waste, allowing product life extension, repair, refurbishment, resource recovery and repeated use of valuable materials. The paper also shows the importance of circular business models, modular product design, product-as-a-service solutions, digital monitoring of waste flows, and public-private cooperation in building closed value chains. The practical value of the article lies in the possibility of applying its conclusions in the development of public policy, corporate sustainability strategies, e-waste management systems aimed at strengthening environmentally responsible digital transformation.