The world’s population is growing, and economic prosperity is reaching more and more population groups. This, combined with technological developments and the short lifespan of electronics, means that more and more e-waste (electronic waste) is being discarded. Every year, more than 50 million tonnes of electronic products are discarded worldwide. Where do all these products end up? A very large portion is properly processed into secondary raw materials. Within Europe, the rules are as follows: manufacturers and importers of electrical and/or electronic equipment must report and register all equipment sold in a separate register. At least 65% of the volume sold must subsequently be collected again. In the Netherlands, only companies with a conformity declaration from the WEEELABEX organisation are permitted to process electronics. Companies must also be able to demonstrate that they work according to the requirements of the Cenelec 50625 standard.
Unfortunately, many (less developed) countries have insufficient processing capacity. These countries are unable to adequately and efficiently process this large stream of e-waste in a responsible manner. As a result, the valuable raw materials in these products are not recovered. So what happens to the electronic waste, you might wonder? These products, often the low-grade electronics streams or “refurbished” electronics, are exported to West Africa and parts of Asia. In these countries, the population lives off extracting and selling valuable materials. That might sound fine at first. It isn’t. The products are burned in the open air or dissolved in acid. Local workers, including children, work here under appalling conditions and without protective equipment. This causes serious health problems, such as damage to the nervous system, lungs, brain, and kidneys. In addition, toxic substances leak into the soil and air. This severely pollutes surrounding areas and damages ecosystems.
The circular economy contributes to the solution
In the circular economy, products are designed with the goal of being reused over a longer period. The aim is also to avoid waste. When a product truly reaches its end of life, it is converted into valuable secondary raw materials. These are then used again to make new products. The ultimate goal is that no waste is produced at all. Materials and raw materials remain in use and are redeployed and reshaped over time. This also means that products must be designed sustainably, in a way that allows them to be repaired, upgraded, and reused. The use of hazardous substances should be avoided or limited wherever possible. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
Batteries
The current reality, however, also has a concerning side. Batteries! We’re finding batteries in more and more electronics. Think not only of smartphones, tablets, and laptops, but also earbuds, electric toothbrushes, and e-cigarettes (vapes), which all contain batteries. All these products can be processed. However, the batteries must first be removed — and that turns out to be a major challenge. These products often end up in regular household waste. The processing company doesn’t expect this stream. During processing, there’s a good chance the battery (often Li-ion) will catch fire, with all the disastrous consequences that entails. Even if these products are collected properly, it’s still almost impossible to remove the batteries from them. Products such as an electric toothbrush or a vape simply aren’t designed to be recycled.
What actions are being taken at European level to reduce e-waste?
In 2020, the European Commission presented an EU Action Plan for the circular economy. Reducing electrical and electronic waste is a top priority within this plan. A number of concrete goals have been formulated, such as:
– The right to repair;
– Improving reusability;
– Introduction of a universal charger;
– A reward system to encourage electronics recycling.
Below you’ll find the link to this action plan:
https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy-action-plan_en
What can you do yourself to help reduce e-waste?
1. Use products for as long as possible.
2. Before discarding products or equipment, check whether they still qualify for refurbishment. Standards vary widely across Europe — after an upgrade, your equipment could potentially be deployed in, for example, Eastern or Southern Europe.
3. Choose a product designed to enable a circular model. Pay particular attention to whether the product can be repaired or upgraded.
4. Make sure that discarded products or equipment are processed safely and responsibly at the end of their life, with raw materials preserved. Companies with WEEELABEX certification are permitted to process electronics.
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