Design crucial for circularity, reaffirm e-scrap recyclers

Recyclers across Europe have sent out a united message that electronics recycling and ecodesign must go hand-in-hand to achieve circularity.

The continent’s umbrella lobbying group EuRIC attracted more than 100 representatives to an event ‘Plug into sustainability: E-waste recycling’.

They addressed the challenges in advancing circularity in electronic waste and charting the way forward for increased material recovery in the EU.

They concluded that e-waste circularity required incentives for recyclers, consumer empowerment, and a legal framework with fit-for-purpose targets and provisions that ensure a level playing field and drive demand for recycled materials within the EU.

Ambitious policies

Tess Pozzi, chair of EuRIC’s WEEE working group and head of EU public affairs at Derichebourg Environnement, spoke of the need for ambitious policies to increase the use of recycled materials in new products on the EU market.

Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, the European Commission’s Circular Economy director, highlighted the potential of the circular economy to enhance EU competitiveness, security, strategic autonomy, and decarbonisation.

Geopolitical actors

‘Geopolitical actors with control of CRM resources have tried and are actively weaponising them,’ he said.

Ioannis Bakas, from the European Environment Agency identified the need for more binding, target-oriented policies, value chain-specific strategies, high-quality recycling, strong demand, and safe and sustainable-by-design products.

Competition with virgin plastics 

One panel considered the role of e-waste in a circular economy while a second considered closing the loop in the e-plastics value chain.

Laura Baillargeon (EU Commission, DG Grow) outlined the challenges for recycled plastic in Europe, including competition with virgin plastics, cheaper imported recycled plastics, and the competitiveness of the EU plastic recycling industry.

She also called for a reality check to ensure new EU measures were feasible and profitable for recyclers.