{"id":120995,"date":"2026-10-14T15:54:29","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T13:54:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/?p=120995"},"modified":"2026-10-14T16:49:20","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T14:49:20","slug":"europes-growing-e-waste-crisis-demands-urgent-action-ngos-warn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/hr\/europes-growing-e-waste-crisis-demands-urgent-action-ngos-warn\/","title":{"rendered":"Europe&#8217;s growing e-waste crisis demands urgent action, NGOs warn"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Brussels, 14 October 2026 &#8211; <\/strong>New <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/eurostat\/en\/web\/products-eurostat-news\/w\/ddn-20261014-1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Eurostat figures<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0published today\u00a0highlight\u00a0the mounting e-waste challenge facing Europe, as\u00a0high levels\u00a0of electronics consumption continue to generate\u00a0large amounts\u00a0of discarded equipment. Yet the sector\u00a0remains\u00a0far from circular, with collection, reuse and recycling falling short of their potential.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">On International E-Waste Day<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Environmental\u00a0NGOs call on the European Commission to\u00a0seize the\u00a0upcoming revision of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) legislation and the Circular Economy Act (CEA) to\u00a0significantly\u00a0strengthen\u00a0electronics\u00a0collection, preparation for reuse and high-quality recycling.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Isabelle Radovan<\/strong>,\u00a0Policy Officer,\u00a0Circular Economy and Waste, European Environmental Bureau (EEB), said:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cEurope is\u00a0consuming and\u00a0discarding\u00a0more electronics than ever,\u00a0yet\u00a0the\u00a0sector&#8217;s\u00a0structural shortcomings\u00a0remain\u00a0unaddressed.\u00a0The revised\u00a0e-waste\u00a0legislation and the Circular Economy Act\u00a0must focus\u00a0on\u00a0preventing waste\u00a0and\u00a0extending\u00a0products\u2019 lifespan.\u00a0It is time to tackle\u00a0electronic\u00a0waste at its source.&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Eurostat\u2019s latest figures\u00a0demonstrate\u00a0the urgent need for\u00a0action.\u00a0In 2024:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">14.6 million tons\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of electrical and electronic equipment\u00a0were\u00a0sold in the EU \u2013 an increase of\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">91\u00a0percent since\u00a02012.<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The\u00a0highest per-capita\u00a0consumers of electrical and electronic equipment in the EU\u00a0were<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Austria<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Germany<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Denmark, Spain<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Netherlands<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0with consumption levels of\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">35.6\u00a0\u2013\u00a038.2\u00a0<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">kilograms\u00a0per\u00a0person<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">5.5\u00a0million tons\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">of\u00a0e-waste were\u00a0collected\u00a0\u2013\u00a0around\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">6\u00a0percent<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0more than in\u00a02023.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Collection rates are alarmingly low across the EU.\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Germany,<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0for example, is among the Member States with the largest volumes of products placed on the\u00a0market, yet\u00a0reported a collection rate of just\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">28.7 percent<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The lowest e-waste collection rates were recorded in<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Italy,\u00a0Slovenia\u00a0and<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Greece<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Growing demand for electronic devices consumes finite resources such as lithium, palladium and copper. Raw material extraction and processing are responsible for 55% of global greenhouse gas emissions, up to 40% of health-related impacts from particulate matter, and 90% of land-based <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eea.europa.eu\/en\/analysis\/publications\/the-environmental-and-climate-benefits-of-circular-economy\">biodiversity loss<\/a>. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Short product lifespans, barriers to repair and reuse and improper disposal add to these impacts.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Moreover,\u00a0large\u00a0quantities\u00a0of e-waste are discarded in residual waste or exported unlawfully. This can release toxic pollutants, cause fires involving lithium-ion batteries, and prevent devices and materials from being reused or recycled.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In a\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/eeb.org\/en\/library\/ngos-position-on-the-revision-of-the-waste-from-electrical-and-electronic-equipment-weee-directive\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">joint position\u00a0paper<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, environmental NGOs\u00a0have been calling for waste prevention to be at the heart of the future WEEE framework and the CEA.\u00a0The\u00a0revised\u00a0rules must\u00a0set\u00a0binding\u00a0waste\u00a0prevention\u00a0targets,\u00a0and strengthen repair,\u00a0reuse\u00a0and collection,\u00a0backed by\u00a0robust extended producer responsibility (EPR)\u00a0schemes.\u00a0These\u00a0schemes\u00a0should be\u00a0harmonised\u00a0at EU\u00a0level,\u00a0taking the most advanced national systems as a benchmark.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">They must\u00a0include mandatory funding for repair and\u00a0preparation\u00a0for reuse, eco-modulated fees\u00a0that\u00a0reward\u00a0sustainable product design,\u00a0and inclusive governance to ensure producers\u00a0are\u00a0accountable\u00a0for their products throughout their life cycle.\u00a0Collecting more e-waste\u00a0is not enough: functional and repairable devices should be\u00a0identified\u00a0and\u00a0channeled\u00a0towards\u00a0reuse before\u00a0being\u00a0recycled.\u00a0This\u00a0requires\u00a0dedicated\u00a0reuse\u00a0targets,\u00a0adequate producer\u00a0funding, and access\u00a0to\u00a0collection\u00a0points for\u00a0reuse operators.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Dr. Marieke Hoffmann<\/strong>, Senior Expert, Circular Economy Deutsche\u00a0Umwelthilfe\u00a0(DUH),\u00a0said:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cElectronics producers generate substantial profits from selling their products and must take responsibility for resulting environmental impacts. It is unacceptable that environmental targets set out in the WEEE Directive have been missed for years without producers facing any consequences. We therefore call for mandatory participation of producers in collective producer responsibility organisations that are held accountable for meeting collection, preparation for reuse and recycling targets. Additional incentives should be introduced to reward producer organisations that exceed these targets.&#8221;<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>Marie-Jeanne Gaertner<\/strong>, Environmental Policy Lead, RREUSE, said:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201c<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Preparing-for-reuse rates for WEEE are still incredibly low, at below 2%. One of the main reasons behind this is that EPR schemes typically do not finance reuse and preparing for reuse of WEEE. And the reason behind this is that there is no EU-wide legal obligation to do so. Even the Commission has\u00a0recognised\u00a0it in its evaluation report on the WEEE Directive. We urge policymakers to mandate EPR fees to cover the costs of reuse and preparation for reuse under the review of the WEEE Directive to unlock the potential of the reuse sector.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><strong>In\u00e9s Alberico<\/strong>, Campaign Manager, Right to Repair Europe, said: <\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cHow do we stop electronic products from ending up in the e-waste pile? Make them repairable and make repairs affordable. Instruments like repair vouchers can lower repair costs and have already helped drive more repairs. But they need reliable, long-term funding.\u00a0That\u2019s\u00a0where the revised WEEE Directive comes in:\u00a0we\u2019re\u00a0calling for EPR fees to set aside dedicated funding for repair and reuse. Make repair affordable, and more electronics can stay in use for longer instead of becoming e-waste.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>ENDS<\/p>\n<p><strong data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">Note to editors:<\/strong><br \/>\n<a title=\"https:\/\/www.eea.europa.eu\/en\/analysis\/publications\/the-environmental-and-climate-benefits-of-circular-economy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eea.europa.eu\/en\/analysis\/publications\/the-environmental-and-climate-benefits-of-circular-economy\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"4\">Briefing:<\/a>\u00a0<em>The environmental and climate benefits of a circular economy <\/em>[European Environment Agency]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Brussels, 14 October 2026 &#8211; New Eurostat figures\u00a0published today\u00a0highlight\u00a0the mounting e-waste challenge facing Europe, as\u00a0high levels\u00a0of electronics consumption continue to generate\u00a0large amounts\u00a0of discarded equipment. Yet the<span class=\"excerpt-hellip\"> [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":128,"featured_media":120998,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,138],"tags":[101,330],"class_list":["post-120995","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-press-release","category-circular-economy","tag-circular-economy","tag-e-waste"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/PRESS-RELEASE-FEATURED-IMAGES-29.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120995","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/128"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=120995"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120995\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/120998"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=120995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=120995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.org\/hr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=120995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}