#WEEE4Future addresses e-waste, the fastest-growing waste stream in the world

E-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams and a major threat to the environment and to human health. But there’s something you can do about it!

Why WEEE4Future?

Stop for a minute and think about how many gadgets you have encountered in your life. How many appliances broke down and needed to be changed? How many times have you upgraded your old phone for a newer, shinier version? Probably a dozen times, at the very least. These old/unwanted/broken items become WEEE/e-waste.

What is WEEE?

WEEE stands for Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment. It is also often called e-waste. It is quite a broad category that can include computers, TV-sets, fridges, and mobile phones. It is basically any old, discarded, or no longer in use electrical and electronic equipment that requires a power source, either electric or battery/accumulator power.

So yes! The old phone gathering dust in your drawer is e-waste! Every old toy needing a power source, any old MP3 players, the ancient toaster in your attic all are e-waste!

According to the Global E-waste Monitor (2020), approximately 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste were generated in 2019. It is estimated that the amount of e-waste generated will exceed 74 million tonnes in 2030. Thus, the global quantity of e-waste is increasing at an alarming rate of almost 2 million tonnes per year.

Discover which appliances can be recycled with e-waste calculator!

WEEE4Future aims to education and raise awareness as well as to encourage and support more people to recycle their old appliances – saving precious resources from being lost! With the e-waste calculator and the education modules below, we invite you to take this journey with us, to learn more about e-waste, its compositions and what we can do about it to reduce the negative impacts generated by the waste.

How can e-waste be linked to the circular economy?

Secondary raw materials mean recycled materials that can be used in manufacturing processes instead or alongside virgin raw materials. Accessing materials from discarded appliances should be considered an important alternative source of secondary raw materials. Therefore, it has become necessary to improve the mining of secondary resources and reduce the pressure on virgin materials.

Find an e-waste collection point

Our unwanted appliances contain valuable materials like copper, aluminum, steel, and gold that can be recycled and used in new products. If you are located in Germany, Ireland, Italy or Slovenia, you can find the nearest e-waste collection point to you where your electronics can be recycled or in some cases repaired and repurposed. Check the map here!

Learn & Teach WEEE

If you want to get a deeper understanding regarding WEEE, our modules are a perfect way to start. Alternatively, if you are a teacher looking for new and exciting topics to teach your students, follow the link below!

In addition, EIT RawMaterials team is looking for sponsors to bring #WEEE4Future to your country. Please contact us at academy@eitrawmaterials.eu for more information.

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