E-waste volumes are rising in the EU, with Czechs among the top performers in sorting it

The European Union collected 12.3 kg of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) per person in 2024, according to the latest Eurostat data. Sales of electronics in the Union continue to rise. Bulgaria collected the most e-waste per person that year, followed by the Czech Republic.

As Eurostat reported, a record amount of e-waste was collected in 2024. However, the amount of electronic equipment placed on the market continues to exceed the volume of waste collected, highlighting problems associated with recycling and managing the growing amount of discarded equipment.

In 2024, 32.4 kg of new electrical and electronic equipment per person was placed on the EU market, 2.6 times the volume of e-waste collected. The difference consists of equipment still in use, stored in households, awaiting disposal or ending up in informal waste management systems that are not monitored.

Growth driven by large equipment, including solar panels

Between 2015 and 2024, the amount of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the EU market rose by 79%, from 18.1 kg to 32.4 kg per person. Large equipment, including washing machines, dishwashers and photovoltaic panels, was the main driver of this growth. Between 2022 and 2024, the volume of equipment placed on the market remained relatively stable. E-waste collection also increased over the decade, from 7.3 kg per person in 2015 to 12.3 kg in 2024. Compared with 2023, the amount collected rose by 0.7 kg per person.

Bulgaria collected the most e-waste per person in 2024, at 18.9 kg, followed by the Czech Republic with 17.8 kg and France with 17.7 kg. The lowest figures were recorded in Cyprus (4.7 kg), Portugal (6.0 kg) and Malta (6.4 kg per person). Austria placed the largest amount of new electrical and electronic equipment on the market, at 38.2 kg per person. It was followed by Germany with 38.0 kg and Denmark with 37.0 kg. The lowest volume was recorded in Cyprus, where 15.4 kg of equipment per person was placed on the market.

In every EU country for which data are available, the amount of new electronic equipment placed on the market exceeded the volume of waste collected. Germany and Spain recorded particularly large differences. Germany placed 38.0 kg of equipment per person on the market but collected only 11.0 kg of e-waste. In Spain, the figures were 36.0 kg and 9.3 kg, respectively.

The data highlight the importance of improving collection and recycling systems as consumption of electronic equipment continues to rise. Recovering a higher proportion of valuable materials from discarded equipment could help reduce waste, limit the need for primary raw materials and support the EU's circular economy goals.