Small electronic gadgets containing recoverable metals are routinely discarded or left unused, according to a new European survey highlighting gaps in critical minerals recycling.
The WEEE Forum surveyed 10,245 adults across 12 European countries and found 87% owned at least one low-cost ‘fast tech’ product, including chargers, wireless earphones, mini fans, and disposable vapes.
Among buyers, 29% reported keeping unwanted devices at home, while 27% relied exclusively on waste-disposal routes instead of recycling or reuse.
The survey also found that 78% of respondents had purchased fast tech in the previous year, while 58% of buyers recalled using at least one product for six months or less.
Released to coincide with International E-Waste Day on 14 October, the findings highlight missed opportunities to recover copper, gold, lithium, and other valuable materials from discarded electronics.
According to DW, around 1 million tonnes (Mt) of critical raw materials were embedded in the 10.7Mt of electronic waste generated across Europe in 2022, including manganese, gold, copper, and aluminium.
WEEE Forum Director General Pascal Leroy says fast tech represents an overlooked source of electronic waste.
“Fast tech is the blind spot of the e-waste world,” Leroy says.
The United Nations’ Global E-waste Monitor estimates that 62Mt of electronic waste was generated worldwide in 2022, with only 22.3% formally collected and recycled.
The International Energy Agency says expanding recycling can provide an additional source of critical minerals and reduce reliance on new mines, although primary production remains necessary to meet demand.
The findings come as the EU targets recycling capacity equivalent to at least 25% of its annual strategic raw material consumption by 2030 under the Critical Raw Materials Act.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Main image: Pexels
