{"id":1368,"date":"2025-11-26T16:46:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T15:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/secontrade.com\/blog\/?p=1368"},"modified":"2026-01-21T17:17:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T16:17:14","slug":"e-waste-as-a-resource-for-the-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/secontrade.com\/blog\/en\/2025\/11\/26\/e-waste-as-a-resource-for-the-future\/","title":{"rendered":"E-Waste as a resource for the future"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From 22 to 30 November, Europe focuses on the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR). The largest campaign week for resource conservation pursues a clear goal: to raise awareness for the responisble use of limited resources.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electronic devices are indispensable in our everyday lives \u2013 and for the energy transition. However, their growing use also increases the volume of electronic waste. E-Waste is the fastest growing waste stream in Europe, rising by around 2 percent annually. In 2022, approximately 14.4 million tonnes of electrical devices were sold in the EU. Only 5 million tonnes were collected, corresponding to 11.2 kg of E-Waste per person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Focus on critical raw materials<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to environmentally harmful substances such as mercury, electronic devices contain valuable critical raw materials, including copper, aluminium, palladium and rare earth elements. According to the latest FutuRaM report (Future Availability of Secondary Raw Materials), Europe\u2019s electronic waste contains around 1 million tonnes of critical raw materials annually. By 2050, this amount could double to 1.9 million tonnes. At the same time, the total volume of E-Waste is expected to rise to up to 19 million tonnes per year. The message is clear: recycling is a key lever for Europe\u2019s resource security and for achieving the EU climate goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The three Rs as guiding principle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The EWWR follows a holistic approach based on three principles: Reduce <\/strong>(avoid waste), Reuse <\/strong>and Recycle<\/strong>. Waste should be avoided (Reduce) by making consumpting more conscious and developing products with longer service life. At the same time, the lifespan of devices should be extended by repairing or passing them on (Reuse) before they become waste. Finally, materials must be professionally recycled and reintroduced into the economic cycle (Recycle).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Europe as a pioneer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The campaign week brings circular economy in Europe to life: projects such as RecycleIT give disused IT devices a second life, Restart Parties promote community repairs, and the E6 project strengthens regional structures for reuse and refurbishment. Austria also sets a strong example for a successful circular economy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n