E-Waste Management in the GCC- Driving Sustainability in the Digital Economy

August 2025

This DCO General Report highlights the urgent challenge of e-waste management in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with far-reaching implications for environmental sustainability, public health, economic development, and social equity.

Leveraging the DCO Digital Space Accelerator (DSA), the report brings together governments, the private sector, academia, civil society, and International Organizations to design actionable solutions for a sustainable and inclusive digital economy.

The report explores:

• The global state of e-waste and its growing risks to people, the planet, and economies.
• Key categories of e-waste, from household appliances to ICT equipment.
• Barriers and opportunities for effective e-waste management across the GCC.
• Policy and regulatory gaps, with emphasis on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and regional collaboration.
• The potential of e-waste as a source of economic value, supply chain resilience, and strategic autonomy.

By providing a roadmap for action, the report empowers governments to adopt sustainable e-waste strategies that reduce environmental and health risks, unlock economic value, and ensure a just and inclusive digital transformation across the region.