Focus on EECONE: how the EU is bringing together electronics firms to combat e-waste
www.thalesgroup.com, Apr. 01, 2025 –
A good way to tackle the e-waste problem is to design electronics devices for reduce, repair, reuse and recycling. Let's find out how the EU's EECONE scheme is supporting research into this mission.
Next year, the global consumer electronics industry is expected to gross $1 trillion for the first time. It raises the question: where do the old and unwanted products go?
Every year, the issue of e-waste grows more urgent. According to the Global e-waste Monitor 2024, the world generated 34 billion kg of e-waste in 2010. But since then, volumes have risen by 2.3 billion kg per year. As a result, the e-waste total stood at 62 billion kg in 2022.
So, where does it go? Regrettably, most is sent to landfill. Just 22.3 per cent (13.8 billion kg) of the e-waste generated is collected and recycled.
This is concerning. e-waste contains a range of materials, some of which cause environmental and health problems. It's also wasteful: modern electronics contains rare and expensive resources, which could be better recycled.
Alongside waste, there is also the issue of emissions. According to the UN's Environment Programme, electronics accounted for three percent of all carbon emissions in 2021. That's comparable with aviation.
The collective impact of e-waste is alarming. Scientists say there are nine Planetary Boundaries (PBs) that affect the life-support functions of the earth: climate, ocean pH, fresh water, biosphere, ozone, nutrients, land use, aerosols and pollution. It says six are now operating beyond safe limits.
In response, governments are stepping up. They are introducing regulations around safe disposal and recycling. And they are supporting projects to encourage cooperation among vendors and research into new innovations.
An example of the latter approach is the European ECOsystem for greeN Electronics (EECONE) project. This European Union funded scheme is exploring practical ways to reduce e-waste in the EU – and accelerate the shift to low-waste electronics.
Three main ways to reduce problem of e-waste
Most e-waste initiatives use the 6R concept as a guideline for sustainability efforts: reduce, reliability, repair, reuse, refurbish, recycle. So how do these principles translate into action for stakeholders in the electronics space? There are three key methods.
1. Increase product lifetimes. Making products more reliable and repairable will reduce the volume of e-waste.
2. Reduce the amount of material used – especially toxic material. The use of renewable resources like plant-based polymers can make products more sustainable and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Of course, Manufacturers must consider whether a product or component is needed at all. If doesn't exist, it can never be waste.
3. Make it easier to reuse and recycle components/elements. This promotes a circular economy and reduces the use of virgin materials.
New solutions to e-waste: the EECONE project
The EU is aware of the e-waste problem. Official figures say:
The EU is aware of the e-waste problem. Official figures say:
• EU citizens consume 14.4 million tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment a year
• Authorities collect 5 million tonnes of e-waste a year
• In 2022, 11.2 kg of electrical and electronic equipment waste were collected per inhabitant in the EU.
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