Recycling is just one of three ways to deal with electronic waste in the economy. According to the 3R principle, reducing and reusing are also key, i.e., focusing on reducing the amount of electronic waste, for example, by prolonging the life of equipment, as well as repairing and reintroducing devices to the market. This is significant as, according to Eurostat, used electrical and electronic equipment is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the EU, with less than 40% making it to recycling.
According to Eurostat data cited by the European Parliament, the amount of electrical and electronic equipment introduced to the EU market in 2021 was 13.5 million tons. The total amount of used equipment collected was just under 5 million tons. In Poland, 11.24 kg of e-waste is collected per capita, slightly exceeding the EU average of 11 kg per capita. The lowest amount of e-waste collected per capita was recorded in Cyprus – less than 4 kg. On the other side of the ranking is Austria with a rate of nearly 15.5 kg. There are assessments in which Poland is regarded as a model for dealing with the problem of electronic waste. According to the report “The Global E-waste Monitor 2024”, created by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Poland exceeded the 85% indicator for electronic waste collection.
As Paulina Dąbrowska from the Polish Recycling Corporation tells the Newseria information agency, the amount of electronic waste produced in Poland is an ongoing issue, as it’s not only about how much e-waste is genuinely processed, but also how much makes it to the markets or the gray market, as opposed to the paperwork.
The Polish Recycling Corporation plant is responsible for processing about 20-30% of electronic waste in the Polish market. Dąbrowska emphasizes that they process around 1,400 refrigerators a day on three shifts. Regarding large washing machines, they process about 14 tons per hour.
In line with EU regulations, used electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) includes a wide range of products that are disposed of by users for various reasons over time. This includes large household appliances (e.g., washing machines, electric cookers), IT and telecommunications devices, consumer devices (e.g., video cameras), photovoltaic panels, small household appliances (vacuum cleaners, electric kettles), and other equipment classified as electrical tools or medical devices.
According to the European Parliament, e-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the European Union, of which less than 40% is recycled. As part of building a circular economy, EU institutions promote extending the lifespan of devices. This is facilitated by the so-called right to repair directive, which came into effect in mid-2024 and is supposed to be implemented into Polish law within two years. It promotes the idea of repairing and reusing equipment at the post-sales stage beyond the scope of the seller’s responsibility.
The introduction of the universal USB type C charger also serves to reduce the amount of e-waste. As Dąbrowska states, “This is the 3R rule: we first reduce the amount of waste, then we check if the waste can be repaired and reintroduced to the market in the form of reuse, and only at the very end is it subjected to recycling.” She adds that manufacturers should create devices that can primarily be economically repaired.
A study by the Euroconsumers portal, cited by APPLiA – Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, indicates that according to consumer organizations in Belgium, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, the useful life of small and large household appliances, and consumer electronics increased by an average of 2% between 2019 and 2023. The most considerable longevity increase was noted in smartphones and tablets – by 5.1% and 7.5%, respectively. Small household appliances show a steady annual increase of an average of 1.2%, and large ones – 1.84%. For comparison, coffee machines “last” on average six years and six months.
Electronic equipment unfit for repair and reuse becomes e-waste, which contains substances and materials harmful to the environment and human health. On the other hand, proper e-waste processing allows for the recovery of many valuable raw materials, many of which are currently mined in unstable countries disrespecting human rights.
According to “The Global E-waste Monitor 2024”, in 2022, 62 billion tons of electrical waste were generated worldwide. This result is 82% higher than in 2010. It is predicted that by the end of this decade, the global economy will produce more than 80 billion tons of such waste.
