Climate effects on electronic waste generation and sustainable management in developing countries: A systematic review

Abstract

Electronic waste (e-waste) is a rapidly growing environmental and public health issue in developing countries, driven by accelerating technological adoption, imports of used electronics, urbanization, and inadequate repair and reuse infrastructure. Informal recycling dominates the sector, often relying on unsafe practices that expose workers and local communities, including women and children, to hazardous substances. Climate change further exacerbates these challenges, as extreme weather events disrupt e-waste management systems and accelerate the spread of toxic contaminants into the environment. This systematic review synthesizes evidence published between 2015 and 2025 on the interactions among climate hazards, e-waste generation, environmental contamination, health risks, and sustainable management strategies in low- and middle-income countries. Following PRISMA guidelines, 85 studies were selected from 2345 records retrieved from peer-reviewed databases and grey literature. We analyzed the data thematically, focusing on climate-related drivers, vulnerability pathways, informal and formal recycling systems, circular economy interventions, and governance frameworks. The findings reveal that climate change acts primarily as a risk multiplier rather than a direct driver of e-waste generation. Its impacts are strongly mediated by existing structural conditions, including infrastructure quality, institutional capacity, and dependence on informal recycling systems. Regional disparities are evident: Sub-Saharan Africa is characterized by weak formal systems and high dependence on informal recycling; South and Southeast Asia face large waste volumes and monsoon-related exposure; and Latin America demonstrates relatively stronger, although uneven, institutional capacity. Across all regions, climate hazards exacerbate environmental contamination and occupational health risks, particularly at poorly regulated informal recycling sites. Although circular economy strategies, including repair, reuse, resource recovery, and formalized recycling systems, offer promising pathways toward sustainable e-waste management, their implementation remains constrained by financial, technical, and governance limitations. This review underscores the urgent need for integrated, climate-informed e-waste governance frameworks that strengthen system resilience, mitigate environmental and health risks, and support sustainable resource recovery in developing countries

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Sustainable Futures, 2026 · DOI ↗