ECOTIC (member WEEE Forum) brings to the attention of the public, on the occasion International Day of E-Waste (October 14), various themes highlighting the need for separate collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment. This year's theme focuses on identifying e-waste as a valuable resource containing critical raw materials: 29 of the 34 critical raw materials declared at European level are present in e-waste.
10,7 million tons of electronic waste were generated in 2022 at the level EU27+4 (European Union, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Iceland and Norway), thus resulting, 20 kg/person.
The phones, laptops, servers, cables, household appliances and other electronic products discarded each year in the EU27+4 contain approximately 1 million tons of critical raw materials (CRM), is presented in FuturaM reportThese metals and minerals are essential for the development of green technologies, digital infrastructure and the modern defense industry.
The same report highlights that the European recovery potential is 0,9 and 1,5 million tons of critical raw materials annually by 2050. This stability would reduce pressure on the environment and provide Europe with a domestic source of metals such as copper, aluminum and palladium.
"Europe's e-waste is a multi-million euro resource waiting to be harnessed," says Kees Balde, expert at UNITAR SCYCLE and the scientific coordinator of the FutuRaM project.
Legislative context at European level: 1) Critical Raw Material Act (Critical Raw Materials Act, 2024) which sets targets for the extraction, processing and recycling of critical raw materials, aiming for 25% of annual demand to be covered by recycling by 2030; 2) Circular Economy Act (Circular Economy Act) – consultation launched in August 2025: will address the lack of sufficient demand and supply of secondary raw materials and the fragmentation of the European single market, 3) Revision of the current WEEE Directive (planned as a new Regulation for 2027): is likely to strengthen collection and reporting rules, stimulating demand for secondary raw materials and their traceability.
Jessica Roswall, The European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, says: “Europe depends on third countries for over 90% of its critical raw materials, but we recycle only a small part of them – sometimes even less than 1%. We need a real change of mindset in the way Europe collects, disassembles and processes this rapidly growing mountain of e-waste, transforming it into a new source of prosperity. Trade disruptions, from export bans to wars, highlight Europe’s vulnerability. Recycling is both an environmental necessity and a geopolitical strategy.”
Romania has developed National Circular Economy Strategy by GD 1172/2022 which states that “Romania and Europe in general are highly dependent on imports of raw materials. This makes them vulnerable to geopolitical tensions that have an impact on prices and supply of raw materials in the future. China is the main supplier of 15 out of the EU's 25 critical raw materials, which means that the EU depends heavily on Chinese exports.”
Actions organized by ECOTIC on the occasion of International Electronic Waste Day
During the period October 9–12, 2025, ParkLake Shopping Center hosted, together with ECOTIC, a series of actions dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of separate collection of electrical and electronic waste. During the four days, visitors were invited to discover the ECOTIC Caravan. Also, during the weekend of October 11–12, children participated in eco-educational workshops under the concept "Become an Environmental Ambassador with the help of provo
of the books launched by Ecoterrian". The activities involved the little ones in a series of interactive and creative experiences: from separate collection games and association exercises, to drawings and messages dedicated to the planet, painting and creations inspired by the Ecoterrian character, as well as a special corner of eco stories listened to on headphones. Each child received a passport, collecting stamps for the activities carried out. At the end, they became Environmental Ambassadors, being rewarded with a diploma, a storybook and a mini container for collecting batteries at home.
On this occasion, a series of local WEEE collection campaigns and campaigns dedicated to employees of ECOTIC partner companies are also taking place, as well as a visit by ECOTIC affiliated producers to the WEEE recycling plant, GreenWEEE Buzău.
In the promotion campaign a International Day of E-Waste, ECOTIC has filmed a series of video interviews with experts and the general public on the topic of recycling critical raw materials. These will be released throughout October on the channel ECOTIC Youtube.
