The circular economy model aims to reduce the waste of resources and their efficiency, as well as to reduce the negative impact on the environment. At European level, the circular economy is one of the priorities, being one of the central pillars of European Green DealThe benefits of the European sustainable development strategy through the transition to the circular economy are both economic and environmental:
- Reducing CO2 emissions – The EU aims to become climate neutral by 2050
- Minimising the EU's dependence on critical raw materials from external sources
- Innovation in the manufacturing, repair and recycling sector
- Job creation in the circular economy sector
How to stimulate the implementation of the circular economy model at European level?
Dedicated legislation
The European Union has adopted a series of legislative acts Circular Economy Action Plan (2020) and various specific regulations for electronics, packaging, textiles and batteries.
Financial support
The EU funds projects that support innovation and the implementation of circular economy principles through programmes such as Just Transition Fund, LIFE, Horizon Europe and more.
The electrical and electronic equipment sector in the context of the circular economy
An important part of the transition to a circular economy is the electronic equipment sector from multiple perspectives described by legislative acts:
- Regulation on Ecodesign for Sustainable Products (ESPR): entered into force in 2024, the regulation aims to ensure that products placed on the EU market are sustainable and energy efficient, taking into account their entire life cycle. Electronic appliances are mentioned, with household washing machines and household tumble dryers being clearly specified as examples. Part of the regulation is the Digital Product Passport which will help improve recycling and repair processes, including for electrical equipment.
- European Directive on the Right to Repair: also adopted in 2024, the directive aims to facilitate the repair of electronic and household electrical products, thus extending their lifespan.
- European directive on common USB-C charger: IT&C equipment that began to be placed on the market from December 2024 must be able to be charged with only one type of charger.
- National Circular Economy Strategy: the national circular economy strategy was approved in 2022. Within it, electrical and electronic equipment is mentioned as being among the sectors with the greatest potential for transition to a circular economy.
- WEEE Directive (Waste electrical and electronic equipment): at the European level, this directive is currently in force, which also specifies the concept of extended producer responsibility in that they are responsible for WEEE resulting from the activity of placing electrical and electronic equipment on the market.
- Critical Raw Materials Regulation: establishes that by 2030, at EU level, at least 25% of the annual consumption of critical raw materials should come from the recycling stream. As critical raw materials (e.g. aluminium, copper etc.) are present in the production of EEE, separate collection and recycling of WEEE is essential to achieve this objective.
Through these initiatives and regulations, the European Union reaffirms its commitment to the transition to a circular economy in the electrical and electronic equipment sector, promoting sustainability.
How does ECOTIC contribute to the Circular Economy in Romania?
ECOTIC is the first organization in Romania (2006) to transfer responsibilities of manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment. In this sense, in its over 18 years of activity ECOTIC contributes to the circular economy by:
- Collection and recycling of fish 450 tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment, which would mean 11 TIRs charged. If we lined them up one after the other, they would form a convoy of approximately 180 km – the distance between Bucharest and Brașov
- The location of 11 containers dedicated to the separate collection of WEEE
- Reintroduction into the production circuit of over 350 tons of secondary raw materials
- The partnership with Ateliere Fâră Frontiere, from 2008 to the present, has donated over 32 pieces of equipment prepared for reuse to people from disadvantaged communities
Here A video is available that briefly presents ECOTIC's activity in the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment:
............................................................
About ECOTIC:
ECOTIC is an organization dedicated to promoting the circular economy, operating in the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) management sector. Through its constant involvement in preparation for reuse, separate collection, recycling and recovery of raw materials, ECOTIC contributes significantly to reducing the negative impact on the environment and to re-introducing resources into the economic circuit. The organization is also actively involved in the implementation of an extensive network of separate collection points for WEEE, facilitating public access to a responsible electronic waste management system.
