The amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment (widely known as WEEE or e-waste) generated every year in the EU is increasing rapidly. It includes phones, household appliances and medical devices.
E-waste contains a complex mixture of materials, some of which are hazardous. These can cause major environmental and health problems if the discarded devices are not managed properly.
Modern electronics also contain rare and expensive resources, including critical raw materials, which can be recycled and reused.
Improving the collection, treatment and recycling of WEEE can increase resource efficiency and support the shift to a circular economy. It can also contribute to the security of supply for critical raw materials, ultimately enhancing the EU’s strategic autonomy.
