Understanding WEEE: EWWR launches informative factsheet for EU waste reduction

The European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) 2025 is encouraging participation with the launch of a new factsheet in collaboration with Zero Waste Europe: “An Overview of WEEE within the EU Framework”. The factsheet highlights the challenges of Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the EU. From mobile phones to fridges and solar panels, many electronic items contain critical raw materials essential for the renewable energy transition, while improper disposal poses risks due to toxic components and batteries. 

The factsheet also provides key data, showing that in 2022 the EU put 14.4 million tonnes of electrical equipment on the market but collected only 5 million tonnes as e-waste, a 40–41% collection rate. It explains the EU WEEE and RoHS Directives, outlines gaps identified in the 2025 review (such as low collection rates, fragmented producer responsibility systems, and inconsistent recycling) and emphasises the need for stronger enforcement, harmonisation, and public awareness to advance the circular economy.