EU Reported Rise in E-Waste Collection During 2024
Data indicated that the European Union processed 12.3 kg of electronic waste per person throughout 2024.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Consumer Electronics
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The European Union collected 12.3 kg of e-waste per person in 2024, marking an increase from 7.3 kg per person in 2015. Over that same period, the volume of new electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market grew significantly.
Why it matters
The widening gap between the surge of new electronics sold and the amount of waste collected highlights significant challenges regarding how devices are discarded or stored. Large equipment, such as washing machines and photovoltaic panels, played a central role in driving the high volume of new products entering the market.
The EU collected 12.3 kg of e-waste per person in 2024, while the supply of new equipment reached 32.4 kg per person. This represents a total growth of 79% in market supply for electronics between 2015 and 2024.
The players
European Union
This is a supranational political and economic union of 27 member states that regulates environmental and waste management standards across Europe.
The details
While collection rates rose by 0.7 kg per person from 2023 to 2024, a substantial difference remains between products entering the market and those successfully recycled. Countries like Bulgaria, Czechia, and France led in collection efforts, while Cyprus, Portugal, and Malta recorded the lowest figures.
Timeline
In 2015, new electronics market supply was 18.1 kg per person.
Between 2022 and 2024, the volume of new electronics placed on the market remained stable.
In 2023, e-waste collection was 0.7 kg lower than 2024 levels.
In 2024, the EU collected 12.3 kg of e-waste per person.
The Tech Race
This trend aligns with the ongoing expansion of the consumer electronics sector, where the rapid deployment of new hardware consistently outpaces current recycling infrastructure. As the industry shifts toward larger appliances and renewable tech, global markets face increasing pressure to modernize disposal systems.
The data confirms that the volume of new electronics entering homes continues to climb, requiring consumers to remain aware of local disposal protocols for large items. Proper recycling prevents hazardous materials from entering unmonitored treatment paths and helps mitigate the environmental footprint of frequent device upgrades.
The takeaway
The sustained gap between new electronics purchases and recycling rates suggests that many devices remain in storage or are disposed of improperly. Consumers can minimize their environmental impact by prioritizing the repair of existing electronics rather than replacing them.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations and industry challenges in our Consumer Electronics section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by European Commission.
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