The relentless trend of declining electronic waste collection destined for recycling continues in Italy, as confirmed by data provided by Erion Weee, a consortium representing over 1,600 companies and managing two-thirds of domestic national waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
Throughout 2023, the consortium processed 232,000 tonnes of WEEE, marking a 6% decline compared to the previous year. The downward curve has persisted since 2021 when 291,000 tonnes were processed, and in 2022, there was a further decrease, totaling 246,000 tonnes.
Giorgio Arienti, the General Manager of Erion Weee, expresses concern and underscores the need to reverse this trend, especially considering the European Union’s objectives, which mandate states to collect 65% of the average placed on the market over the last three years. Currently, Italy manages only 350,000 tonnes, losing over half of the required quantities.
Among the causes of the slowdown, Arienti mentions the end of the TV scrappage bonus effect, contributing to a 31% decline in the collection of this type of WEEE in 2023. Additionally, citizens’ lack of awareness regarding proper waste disposal is a significant factor.
The General Manager also highlights the existing discrepancy between rhetoric on the “circular economy” and the practical implementation of measures to promote it.
The hunger for WEEE is tied to the value of raw materials, where an increase has fueled an illegal flow, with borderline operators and unauthorized entities extracting the easiest materials without regard for environmental impact.
To reverse the trend, Arienti suggests increased control and stricter sanctions, along with a collaborative effort with institutions to raise awareness among citizens about proper WEEE collection. The consortium hopes for simplifications to encourage collection, such as in supermarkets and schools, and calls for state advertising efforts.
Finally, Arienti emphasizes that, in addition to environmental benefits, the proper recovery of WEEE is crucial for critical raw material recovery. He underscores that Italy is still far from achieving the objectives set by the European Union in this regard.
