EU e-waste collection lags new electronics placed on market

Eurostat published 2023 EU statistics on electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

• Main announcement: Eurostat reports that in 2023 the EU collected 11.6 kg of WEEE per person compared with 32.2 kg of new EEE placed on the market per person, a 20.6 kg gap indicating increased device stock; between 2015 and 2023 new EEE grew by 78% (from 18.1 kg to 32.2 kg per person) while e-waste collection grew by 60% (from 7.3 kg to 11.6 kg per person). The data highlights country examples: Netherlands 45.4 kg EEE per person, Germany 38.9 kg, Austria 35.1 kg; lowest EEE per person: Cyprus 14.8 kg, Slovakia 15.8 kg, Bulgaria 17.9 kg. Bulgaria is noted as the only EU country where WEEE collected equals EEE placed on the market (17.9 kg per person); Netherlands shows the largest disparity (45.4 kg vs 12.3 kg).
• Background and methodology: Data were published under the framework of the WEEE Directive (Directive 2012/19/EU) and are based on figures submitted by EU countries; Eurostat notes possible underestimation due to cross-border online trade, non-compliant producers, and informal sector treatment. Definitions: EEE covers devices relying on electricity or electromagnetic fields (e.g., smartphones, laptops, household appliances, solar panels). Source dataset: env_waseleeos and related Eurostat thematic pages.