Equivalent to seven of the world's largest container ships: 747,000 tons of e-waste recycled in Germany in 2023
The recycling of electronic waste in Germany remains a highly important issue for the raw materials transition. According to the German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), 906,100 tons of e-waste was processed at certified primary treatment facilities in 2023. Of this, 747,000 tons were recycled, corresponding to a recycling rate of 82.4%.
Compared to the previous year, 2022, the processed volume increased slightly by 0.6%. Nevertheless, the total volume remains well below the peak of the pandemic in 2020, when over one million tons were recorded.
Small appliances dominate e-waste
Figures show that small appliances make up the biggest portion of e-waste. At 287,400 tons, they account for 31.7% of all processed e-waste. This category includes everyday items such as remote controls, electric toothbrushes and kettles.
Large appliances (e.g., washing machines or e-bikes) follow with 250,700 tons (27.7%). Heat exchangers such as refrigerators and heat pumps accounted for 18.3%, while small IT and telecommunications equipment (including smartphones and routers) account for 10%.
Recycling rates: Photovoltaic modules lead the way
There are significant differences between the categories in terms of recycling rates. Photovoltaic modules have the highest recorded recycling rate. Of the 14,200 tons recorded in this category, an outstanding 90.7% was recycled. Mass produced small appliances, which are the most common type of waste, have the lowest rate at 79.3%.
The remaining 159,100 tons of non-recycled e-waste was either prepared for reuse (2.1%), utilized in other ways—such as energy generation (13.8%)—or disposed of (1.7%) via landfill. Separate collection is essential for recovering valuable raw materials such as rare earths, copper and gold.
Disposal: Obligations for retailers and local authorities in Germany
The Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act regulates the obligations for free e-waste disposal. Retailers and online shops with a sales or storage area of more than 400 square meters in the electrical retail sector (or 800 square meters in the food retail sector) are obliged to take back:
- Large appliances must be taken back when a new appliance of the same type is purchased.
- Small appliances (with an edge length of less than 25 cm) are also accepted free of charge even without a new purchase.
Consumers can also use municipal recycling centers and recycling centers, as well as some mobile collection points.
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