WEEE collection grows slightly: Erion WEEE 2024 data
Despite this positive trend, Italy remains below the European Union’s targets
In 2024, Erion WEEE, a leading consortium in Italy for managing Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), reported handling approximately 237,000 tonnes of such waste. This marks a 2% increase from the 232,000 tonnes managed in 2023. Despite this positive trend, Italy remains below the European Union’s targets. The EU’s Directive 2012/19/EU sets a collection goal of 65% for WEEE, based on the average weight of devices introduced to the market over the previous three years.
As of 2022, only three member states—Bulgaria, Latvia, and Slovakia—had achieved this target, with Italy’s collection rate at approximately 34%. This translates to about 6 kg of WEEE collected per inhabitant annually, whereas the target is 12 kg.
The modest increase in 2024 is primarily attributed to the collection of small electrical and electronic devices, which saw a 5% rise, equating to an additional 18,000 tonnes. Collections also grew for heavier WEEE categories, including air conditioners (up 2%) and large household appliances (up 4%). However, there was an 8% decline in the R3 category (televisions and monitors), a decrease linked to the previous surge in 2021 due to the “TV scrappage bonus.”
Giorgio Arienti, General Manager of Erion WEEE, described 2024 as a challenging year for WEEE collection. While the negative trend of previous years was reversed, the progress was insufficient for a true transition to a circular economy. Arienti emphasized that Italian treatment plants working with Erion WEEE have demonstrated the capability to recover about 90% of materials contained in WEEE, indicating a virtuous process with real potential. However, local authorities and retailers struggle to collect adequate amounts, highlighting a critical issue: without proper collection, recycling and material recovery cannot occur.
Recent legislative measures offer hope for improvement. Amendments in the “Save Infringements” Decree aim to simplify bureaucratic procedures to encourage collection by retailers and establish obligations for Italian consortia to fund and implement communication, information, and awareness programs about the importance of separate WEEE collection. Additionally, the introduction of the appliance bonus for purchasing European-made products with an energy class of at least B is expected to promote proper WEEE disposal by consumers.
Erion WEEE is part of Erion, Italy’s largest multi-consortium non-profit Extended Producer Responsibility system, managing waste associated with electronic products, tobacco products, and textiles. In 2024, the consortium enhanced its communication plan to raise public awareness about the importance of separate collection of WEEE. Initiatives included the first immersive exhibition “Materia Viva Experience” dedicated to WEEE, social media campaigns “RAEEGen” and “RAEEGen – Opinion leader,” the press campaign “Setenefottiseifottuto,” and over 4,000 billboards across Italy.
To learn more about this initiative and its impact, read the full article here:
🔗 https://circulareconomynetwork.it/2025/01/09/erion-weee-dati-2024/
The information in this publication has been selected by a project partner: UCPB, Italy
