EU, 51% of inhabitants kept their old electronic device at home

The Netherlands (28%) and Sweden (26%) had the highest percentage of people who recycled their old desktop computer. Croatia (20%) and Romania (18%) had the highest number of people who gave or sold their old desktop computer to someone else.

Concerning the importance of sustainability aspects in IT equipment purchasing decisions, it was found that in 2024, 12% of people in the EU considered the eco-design of the device (e.g. durable, upgradeable and repairable designs requiring less materials; environmentally friendly materials used for packaging) to be an important feature. The highest numbers for this aspect were recorded in Austria (62%), Cyprus (41%) and Malta (29%).

Other aspects are also included in the evaluations, ranging from the energy efficiency of the device (19%), the possibility of extending the life of the device (10%) and take-back schemes offered by vendors or manufacturers (7%).

However, the most important characteristics in IT equipment purchase decisions remained price (69%), hardware features such as hard disk or processor speed (53%) and the brand, design or size of the device (50%).

Then there is the Italian case where in the first half of 2025 there was a substantial stability of WEEE, i.e. waste electrical and electronic equipment. Specifically, the Ecolamp consortium managed 1,519 tonnes of WEEE throughout Italy. "In particular," Ecolamp reports, "the Consortium has sent for recycling 930 tonnes of small household appliances, consumer electronics, end-of-life lighting equipment and photovoltaic panels (grouping R4), and 588 tonnes of exhausted light sources (grouping R5)".

On the territorial front, in the first six months of 2025, Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna confirmed themselves as the most active regions in the collection of spent light sources. In particular, Lombardy maintains first place with 134 tonnes, followed by Veneto with 63 and Emilia-Romagna with 62 tonnes. Campania is confirmed as the first southern region in sixth position with 34 tonnes collected in the first six months of 2025.

And precisely one of the recommendations of the consortium's representatives is to give a WEEE as a gift if it is undamaged and in working order, instead of handing it in. "If still working, the appliances can be donated to schools, associations or third sector organisations for reuse".

In Austria, every municipality is obliged to set up collection points for electronic waste, where it can be handed in free of charge. In addition, retailers (also online) are obliged to take back old devices, under certain conditions, when buying a new device.

Several resellers buy used devices in order to refurbish and resell them (e.g. the Austrian platform refurbed.at).

One of the most well-known campaigns for donating used mobile phones is the Ö3 Wundertüte, promoted by the public broadcaster ORF. Donated phones are recycled or refurbished and resold, with the proceeds going to needy families. More than 7.5 million phones have been collected since 2005.

As of 2022, the 'repair bonus', a contribution of up to EUR 200 (or EUR 30 for the estimate) to encourage the repair of electrical and electronic appliances instead of their replacement, will be active.

Electronic waste is the fastest growing type of waste, with an annual increase of about 3%. An Ipsos survey for Remobil revealed that about two fifths of Czechs own an average of two old, unused phones, while they buy a new phone every 2-3 years.

Remobil is a non-profit project for the collection of used telephones, in cooperation with ASEKOL, the national take-back system on behalf of manufacturers and importers.

E-waste management is regulated by Law No 185/2001, which provides for mandatory collection points in each municipality, financed by a 'recycling fee' included in the product price. In 2024, ASEKOL recycled almost 70,000 tonnes of e-waste, equivalent to the weight of about 280,000 cars, also contributing to the removal of hazardous substances.

The regulations distinguish between small e-waste, batteries and accumulators, fluorescent lamps and large e-waste. There are dedicated containers for each type, located mainly in shopping centres or at specialised collection sites.

For large e-waste, you can book a free home collection, also online or by phone.

The authorities point out that this waste always contains hazardous substances, which can contaminate soil and water over time.

According to UNIDO, more than 40 million tonnes of electronic waste are generated each year. In Spain, each citizen produces around 10 kg of this type of waste per year.

Collection is regulated by Royal Decree 110/2015, which establishes a single electronic platform for monitoring and traceability.

In 2024, the Ecolec Foundation handled more than 108,500 tonnes of WEEE, promoting awareness-raising campaigns and mobile collection centres, such as the one activated in the industrial park of Cobo Calleja (Madrid) in April 2025.

Despite this, the main trend remains to keep devices at home: 61.67% keep old mobile phones, 38.91% computers and tablets, and 15.3% desktops.

*This article is part of the European collaborative journalism project "Pulse".