Prospects for recycling electronic scrap in Europe

The European Electronics Recycling Firms Association (EERA) says the electronic scrap recycling sector in the region is currently facing challenges. EERA General Secretary Norbert Zonneveld noted that many of the member firms are struggling to survive in the current market situation. He noted that some had already filed for bankruptcy during the previous year.

According to EERA, only large waste management firms and metal recycling giants have managed to survive these difficult times. At the same time, the most affected are representatives of medium-sized businesses. Market conditions in the European Region are currently not conducive to strengthening these electronic scrap recycling facilities.

The association claims that its businesses account for only one third of Europe's electronic scrap for proper disposal. The other two-thirds are handled by car recyclers or informal players. Members of the Association must ensure the disposal of these two thirds of e-waste, which is equivalent to almost 6 million tons of e-waste.

According to the latest survey by Big Market Research, the global e-waste management market will grow by an average of 23.5 percent through 2020, up from 2014. In the last decade, electronics have been developing incredibly fast and people are eager to get their hands on new items. What happens to all the old TVs, computers and other electronic equipment that accumulate when consumers buy new devices? All of them must be recycled, which is why the states of the world must carry out the so-called e-waste disposal program, which should prevent environmental pollution.