Germany misses e-waste collection targets for seventh consecutive year

Germany has failed to meet its mandatory electronic waste collection targets for the seventh consecutive year. According to preliminary data from the Stiftung Elektro-Altgeräte Register, the country collected approximately 960,000 tonnes of e-waste in 2025, resulting in a collection rate of 29.8 percent. This falls significantly short of the 65 percent target required by law.

While the volume of new electronic devices entering the market continues to rise—exceeding three million tonnes annually—the amount of recovered waste remains low. The German Environment Agency suggests that uncollected devices often end up in residual waste, are stored in homes, or are collected by non-certified entities. Notably, once e-waste enters the treatment stream, the recycling efficiency is high, with over 84 percent being recycled or prepared for reuse.

On a broader scale, the European Union generates approximately 10 million tonnes of e-waste annually. To combat resource loss, a binding ‘right to repair’ will take effect across the EU on July 31, 2026. This legislation requires manufacturers to offer repairs at reasonable prices even after the warranty period expires. Technological advancements, including robotics and automated fault detection, are being explored to support this circular economy and recover valuable metals like gold, copper, and palladium from discarded appliances.