The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive is a directive in the European Union that aims to reduce the environmental impact of electrical and electronic equipment by promoting sustainable production and consumption.
In the EU, 14.4 million tonnes of electrical & electronic equipment is put on the market, 5 million tonnes of e-waste is collected, and 11.2 kg of e-waste is collected per person. With the WEEE Directive, the EU seeks to improve the collection, treatment, and recycling of electronic waste, thereby increasing resource efficiency and supporting the shift to a circular economy. Some examples of covered products under the WEEE directive include LED lamps, refrigerators, laptops, TVs, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, mobile phones, heat pumps, and printers.
Under this directive, Member States must encourage cooperation between producers and recyclers to design electronic products that can be reused, dismantled and recovered in line with the ecodesign directive. They must also aim to minimise the disposal of this type of equipment in unsorted municipal waste and allow private households and distributors to return WEEE free of charge. Additionally, the directive mandates producers to inform the public on how WEEE can be returned and collected.
The commission will assess and review this directive, and a legislative proposal with a socioeconomic and environmental impact assessment will be presented by the end of 2026.
In the context of a reuse economy, the WEEE Directive prompts the design and production of electrical and electronic equipment in ways that encourage reuse, dismantling, and recovery. This approach conserves resources and creates employment opportunities in sectors such as the collection, refurbishment, and resale of used electronics. This directive aims to set targets for collecting and recycling e-waste, which, in turn, supports the development of a market for reused and refurbished electronics.
RREUSE, an international network representing social enterprises active in reuse, repair, and recycling, and also part of the Right to Repair Europe coalition, is at the forefront of advocating for sustainable practices in the management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). RREUSE actively participates in the Circular Electronics Initiative, focusing on improving the durability and repairability of electronic products and promoting collection models for WEEE that are reuse-friendly. Their key areas of focus include:
The WEEE plays a crucial role in the reuse economy by setting the legislative framework that encourages the extension of product lifecycles through reuse and refurbishment. This, in turn, supports environmental objectives and creates employment opportunities.
The volume of waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), including items such as computers, televisions, fridges and mobile phones, has been on the increase for the past decades. In 2005, EEE generated some 9 million tonnes of waste. By 2021, it had reached 13.5 million tonnes. The waste created contains scarce and expensive resources, which can be reused, as well as hazardous material that must be properly managed to avoid environmental and health problems. Improper dealing of e-waste can release hazardous materials into the environment, contaminating soil and water and exposing communities to health risks.
The current framework is outlined as still prioritising recycling over reuse, missing opportunities to maximise the lifespan of electronic devices. There are calls for the directive to be revised to better align with the goals of the Circular Economy Action Plan, emphasising a hierarchy that favours reuse and supports the activities of social enterprises engaged in the refurbishing and resale of electronic equipment.
The European Environmental Bureau (EEB), environmental organisations Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), and the international non-profit network RREUSE and ECOS have called for a comprehensive and prompt revision of the WEEE Directive to address the escalating e-waste crisis in Europe.
Their main recommendations include:
These revisions aim to improve the WEEE Directive's framework for managing electronic waste in the European Union. They also promote sustainable product design and guarantee equitable responsibility among producers. Overall, this would support the development of a robust reuse economy.
Several European organisations are actively working and advocating for policies and practices that strengthen the WEEE Directive, aiming to improve e-waste management and promote a more sustainable and circular economy.
RREUSE (Reuse and Recycling European Union Social Enterprises) is a network that represents social enterprises engaged in reuse, repair, and recycling activities across Europe. It advocates for policies that support sustainable waste management while prioritising environmental protection, social equity, and economic viability.
The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) is a network of environmental citizens' organisations advocating for sustainable environmental policies in Europe. It actively engages in policy discussions on the WEEE Directive, calling for ambitious collection and recycling targets, stricter regulations on online sales to prevent non-compliance, greater promotion of circular economy practices, and more robust enforcement mechanisms.
The Environmental Coalition on Standards (ECOS) is an international NGO focused on environmentally friendly technical standards, policies, and laws. It collaborates with other organisations to influence the revision of the WEEE Directive with a focus on improving the management standards for e-waste and sustainable product design.
Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), a German environmental and consumer protection association, collaborates with other NGOs to influence environmental policies, including electronic waste management.
RREUSE’s national affiliates, such as AERESS in Spain, CRNI in Ireland, and RepaNet in Austria, advocate at regional and national levels for effective e-waste policies and the implementation of the WEEE Directive.
Together, the EEB, ECOS, DUH, and RREUSE have called for a revision and expansion of the WEEE Directive to better tackle current e-waste challenges. They stress the need for updated policies that reflect technological advancements and the increasing volume of electronic waste.
The European Commission is set to assess and review the WEEE Directive, with a legislative proposal expected by the end of 2026. This directive also aligns with broader waste management policies, including the Waste Framework Directive, which prioritises waste prevention, reuse, and recycling.
A reuse economy needs support from strong legislation, and the WEEE Directive can play a crucial role in achieving this. However, some steps must be taken to support true resource efficiency and equitable access to reuse opportunities. Some of the things organisations advocating for an improved directive ask for, such as prioritising reuse over recycling, strengthening producer responsibility, and guaranteeing enforcement, will extend product lifecycles, reduce waste and maximise the recovery of valuable materials. The WEE Directive also has the opportunity to foster a more inclusive circular economy, which creates fair employment opportunities in the reuse and repair sector by ensuring that social and environmental considerations are fully integrated. With the upcoming revision of the directive at the end of 2026, the European Commission can reshape e-waste policies to promote durable, repairable, and reusable electronics.