~1 million tonnes of critical raw materials embedded annually in discarded e-products in EU, UK, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway – the weight of 100,000 loaded shipping containers, enough to circle the Earth (IMAGE)
Caption
Of the 10.7 Mt of WEEE generated in 2022, only 5.7 Mt (54%) were collected and appropriately treated in a compliant manner, i.e. in accordance with EU regulations, such as the WEEE Directive. These volumes were collected through retailers, municipal collection points, and commercial collection companies. Following treatment, approximately 0.4 Mt of critical raw materials were successfully recovered, including, among others, 162 kilotons (kt) of copper, 208 kt of aluminium, 12 kt of silicon, 1 kt of tungsten, and 2 t of palladium. Precious metals such as gold and silver, along with steel and other ferrous materials, were also recovered. However, despite compliant collection and treatment, 0.1 Mt of critical raw materials were not recovered, mostly rare earth elements e.g., neodymium, dysprosium, yttrium, and europium, which are vital materials found in magnets, fluorescent powders, and electronics. The remaining 46% of WEEE, about 5.0 Mt, is not compliantly collected or treated, increasing the chance of losing valuable materials and releasing hazardous substances into the environment. The largest quantity, 3.3 Mt, falls under other non compliant recovery, including WEEE mixed with metal and plastic waste, where only some materials, such as iron or steel, may be recovered, often at lower standards. Another 0.7 Mt is discarded with residual solid waste and sent to landfill or incineration. Approximately 0.4 Mt is exported for reuse. The remaining share is undocumented, likely either exported illegally or processed through informal or unregulated channels.
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WEEE Forum
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