Overview
- Released on International E‑Waste Day, the FutuRaM consortium’s study provides the most comprehensive mapping to date of electronic equipment flows across the EU27+4 region.
- In 2022 Europe generated 10.7 million tonnes of e‑waste, with 54% treated compliantly, 46% lost to non‑compliant channels, and roughly 400,000 tonnes of critical materials recovered from compliant streams.
- The report projects annual WEEE rising to 12.5–19 million tonnes by 2050 and critical raw materials to 1.2–1.9 million tonnes, with potential recovery exceeding 1.5 million tonnes a year.
- Photovoltaic panels are identified as the fastest‑growing waste stream, increasing from about 150,000 tonnes in 2022 to as much as 2.2 million tonnes by mid‑century.
- Authors and EU partners outline a five‑pronged push to boost collection, design for disassembly, component targeting, and advanced recycling backed by aligned incentives, while new WEEE Ireland data flags consumer hoarding and limited awareness of material recovery.