Critical raw materials are the new oil, and European e-waste is its source

International E-Waste Day: 14 October, 8th edition
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Critical raw materials are the new oil, and European e-waste is its source
~1 million tonnes of critical raw materials (CRM) end up every year in discarded electronic devices in the EU, UK, Switzerland, Iceland and Norway — that is the weight of 100,000 loaded shipping containers, enough to wrap around the planet along the equator.

Estimates show that the amount of critical raw materials available in e-waste in EU27+4 could roughly double by 2050.

Report for International E-Waste Day:
Recycling and repairs reduce demand for critical raw materials and the amount of waste, strengthen the EU’s resilience to supply risks, create new jobs and contribute to climate goals.

With Europe’s growing demand for critical raw materials and increased geopolitical tensions, a new analysis brings key data on the rapid expansion and rising value of Europe’s “urban mine” — e-waste.
According to the report, discarded phones, laptops, servers, cables, household appliances and other electronic products in EU27+4 now contain around 1 million tonnes of critical raw materials — metals and minerals essential for the development of green technology, digital infrastructure and modern defense.
This corresponds to the weight of 100,000 standard containers of 20 tonnes each – enough containers to form a ring around the Earth along the equator.
The report “Outlook for Critical Raw Materials in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment”, prepared for International E-Waste Day by the FutuRaM consortium (funded by the EU), emphasizes that electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is the foundation of the European economy and everyday life.
The analysis provides comprehensive data on the life cycle of EEE products — from sale to end of life and waste treatment — and shows how Europe can increase the recovery rate of these valuable materials through better collection, design and recycling of e-waste (WEEE).

Expert statements
„Europe depends on third countries for more than 90% of its critical raw materials, and recycles only 1% of some of them. We need a change in mindset about collecting and processing e-waste. Recycling is not only an environmental obligation, but also a geopolitical strategy.“ — Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner for Environment and Circular Economy

„Without critical raw materials we cannot build batteries, turbines, chips or cables that power Europe’s green and digital future. By mining e-waste instead of the planet, we create our own circular supply chains.“
— Pascal Leroy, Director General of the WEEE Forum

„Bosnia and Herzegovina follows European trends, and ZEOS eco-system shares the vision of the largest operators in Europe. Our work goes beyond the collection process itself. Through device refurbishment, citizen education and returning valuable raw materials into the system, we achieve clear and concrete steps toward building a sustainable and circular economy – exactly as our motto best describes: Repair, recycle, empower,“ emphasizes Elma Babić Džihanić, Assistant Director of ZEOS eco-system.

Sustainable living does not begin with big plans, but with small, thoughtful steps: one donation, one repair, one decision that an old device will not end up as waste, and when e-waste becomes a resource, we all benefit. Fill out the order form at www.zeos.ba and dispose of electronic waste free of charge. ZEOS eco-system organizes transport, pickup and all necessary documentation – without costs or complications.

Innovations in e-waste collection in BiH: From the doorstep to the recycling center – without stress and costs

We collect all types of e-waste from legal entities at the address, and from households we collect items heavier than 30 kg, while smaller quantities can be disposed of in our e-waste containers throughout Sarajevo Canton or in ZEOS recycling yards. But that’s not all! Through the same platform you can also donate functional devices, which we will forward in cooperation with humanitarian organizations to people in need. In this way we do double good together: we protect the environment and help those who need it most. You can fill out the order Here, it is free of charge.

ZEOS E-TAXI is just a continuation of our continuity of innovation and responsible business. As a leader in electronic waste management in BiH, which maintains the stability of the recycling system, ZEOS eco-system has so far introduced solutions that did not exist in our country:
• ZEOStation – a place for receiving, repairing and donating devices,
• MajZEOStor – a place where devices get a second life,
• ZEOSHub – a center for education and promotion of the circular economy,
• ZEOS E-TAXI – our latest step toward a cleaner, more modern and more responsible society.

Message of International E-Waste Day:
„Circularity starts at home. Every old phone, cable or device we keep instead of recycling — is a missed opportunity to keep valuable resources in circulation.“
— Magdalena Charytanowicz, IEWD coordinator

Latest data (EU27+4, 2022):
• 10.7 million tonnes of e-waste — about 20 kg per person
• 29 critical raw materials present in e-waste
• 1 million tonnes of critical raw materials contained in that waste stream
• 54% (5.7 million tonnes) properly treated in line with EU regulations; 46% (5.0 million tonnes) outside regulated streams
• Around 400,000 tonnes of critical raw materials were recycled from properly treated waste, including:
o 162,000 t of copper
o 207,000 t of aluminum
o 12,000 t of silicon
o 1,000 t of tungsten
o 2 t of palladium

Even within regulated systems, around 100,000 t of critical raw materials were lost, mostly rare elements in magnets and fluorescent powders.
Illegal flows caused major losses:
o 3.3 million t mixed with metal waste (partial disposal was the best-case scenario)
o 700,000 t of e-waste ended up in landfills or was burned; 400,000 t exported for reuse
o The rest — unknown status

A look into the future to 2050 – more waste, but also more potential

  • The total amount of e-waste in EU27+4 could rise from 10.7 million tonnes (2022) to between 12.5 and 19 million tonnes annually by 2050.

  • The amount of critical raw materials in that waste will rise from 1.0 million tonnes (2022) to 1.2–1.9 million tonnes annually by 2050.

  • Europe could recycle 0.9–1.5 million tonnes of critical raw materials annually, depending on policy, collection rates and recycling efficiency.

  • The circular scenario shows that Europe can keep waste quantities stable (around 10.7 million t) while recycling more than 1 million t of raw materials annually — meaning less pressure on the environment and more secure supply of metals such as copper, aluminum and palladium.

Trends by category to 2050:

  • Large appliances (washing, dishwashing machines): from 4.0 → 7.5 million t

  • Small appliances: 3.2 → 4.5 million t

  • Heat exchange equipment: 1.8 → 3.3 million t

  • Small IT equipment: 0.8 → 1.0 million t

  • Screens and monitors: 0.8 → 0.4–0.7 million t (decline)

  • Photovoltaic panels: 0.15 → 2.2 million t (huge growth due to solar energy)

  • Lighting: stable at around 100,000 t

Where are critical raw materials found?

  • Copper in cables and boards

  • Aluminum in casings

  • Precious metals such as palladium and rare earth elements (neodymium, dysprosium, tantalum, gallium) in laptops, screens, hair dryers, drills, consoles and medical devices.

How can Europe improve recovery:

  • More collection, fewer losses — develop easy access for citizens, retail and municipal collection points

  • Design for disassembly — standardized screws, modular parts, clear material labels

  • Focus on the right components — magnets, motors, boards, cables

  • Develop recycling capacities in Europe — invest in advanced technologies

  • Economic incentives and legal measures — make recycling profitable

Success examples: copper and aluminum
These materials are already successfully recycled in large quantities, while palladium and rare elements are still underutilized. Recovery of silicon, silver and rare metals from solar panels will be key for Europe’s energy transition.

E-waste as an economic resource:

  • New recycling facilities → investment and employment

  • New jobs → in collection, logistics, repairs and processing

  • Keeping value in Europe → instead of exporting waste, materials remain in circulation

Even small changes in recovery rates of materials such as palladium (value 25,000–30,000 USD/kg) can bring hundreds of millions of euros annually.

European policies supporting the transition:

  • Critical Raw Materials Act (2024) – target: cover 25% of annual demand through recycling by 2030.

  • Circular Economy Act (2025) – focus on demand and supply of secondary raw materials

  • Revision of the WEEE Directive (2026) – stricter rules on collection and reporting

  • FutuRaM Urban Mine Platform (2025) – open database on the availability of CRMs in waste

Key data:“Urban mining is no longer a concept — it is a business opportunity,” says Giulia Iattoni from
UNITAR.

Key data:

  • 10.7 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022 (~20 kg per person)

  • 29 critical raw materials, 1.0 million t total embedded

  • 54% properly treated; 46% outside controlled streams

  • 400,000 t recycled from properly treated waste

  • By 2050: 12.5–19 million t waste, 1.2–1.9 million t CRM, 0.9–1.5 million t recycled

About the FutuRaM project
FutuRaM (Future Availability of Secondary Raw Materials) is a project funded through Horizon Europe, which develops knowledge bases on secondary raw materials from different waste streams.
More at: www.internationalewasteday.com