The European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) is set to kick off its 17th edition from 22 to 30 November 2025. During this week, 13,107 actions focusing on waste reduction, product reuse and repair, materials recycling, and clean-ups will take place across 33 countries in Europe and beyond. Together, we can turn awareness into action and change the future of our planet!

For more information on the EWWR 2025, please consult our comprehensive Press File.

Act on electronics before they turn into Waste

The 17th edition of the European Week for Waste Reduction seeks to raise awareness about the EU’s fastest-growing waste stream, WEEE (or e-waste) – Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The selection of this thematic focus for the 2025 edition of the EWWR wants to raise awareness on reduce, repair and reuse activities for electric and electronic equipment that can be implemented by all the different categories of stakeholders.

WEEE includes six product categories:

• Temperature Exchange Equipment: e.g., refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners.
• Screens and Monitors: e.g., TVs, computer monitors, laptops (>100 cm² screen).
• Lamps: e.g., fluorescent tubes, LED lamps.
• Large Equipment (≥50 cm): e.g., washing machines, ovens, vending machines.
• Small Equipment (<50 cm): e.g., vacuum cleaners, microwaves, tools, toys.
• Small IT and Telecom Equipment (<50 cm): e.g., mobile phones, routers, tablets.

Electrical and electronic devices are essential to daily life, but the waste they generate is a growing challenge for the EU. In 2022, the EU placed 14.4 million tonnes of EEE on the market but collected only 5 million tonnes of WEEE (11.2 kg per person). E-waste is the EU’s fastest-growing waste stream, rising about 2% per year. Almost half of all WEEE is still not collected, most Member States miss collection targets, and only about 40% is recycled.

WEEE contains hazardous substances but also valuable and critical raw materials. Proper collection, treatment, and recycling are crucial to reduce environmental and health risks, improve resource efficiency, and support a circular economy.

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