Electronic waste in Germany: Alarming numbers and urgent reforms necessary

Electronic waste in Germany: Alarming numbers and urgent reforms necessary

In a shocking report, the Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat) published alarming figures on the electrical appliances and the electronic waste in Germany. How can it be that we consume the third most electrical devices in the EU and at the same time cut off so badly when collecting electronic waste? This question arises!

Germany sold a whopping 33.9 kilograms of electrical appliances per capita in 2022 - only exceeded by the Netherlands and Denmark. But while we indulge in the buying frenzy of smartphones, laptops and Co., our collection rate for electronic waste is terrifying at only 31.7 percent, which only brings us 22th place in Europe!

environmental activists beat alarm

Barbara Metz, the federal manager of the German Environmental Aid (DUH), leaves no doubt that Germany is an environmental problem. "The new figures are an unmistakable memorial for the Environment Minister Steffi Lemke," she says. In fact, one could even say that these facts are a wake -up call for all consumers and politicians!

• We consume a lot and collect little!
• rules must be changed!
• disposable products are superfluous!

The DUH calls for new, clear rules against the growing electronic waste mountains! Particularly short-lived products such as one-way e-cigarettes should simply be banned. "Every manufacturer should have to meet the statutory collection rate of 65 percent," says Metz. A warning signal to all manufacturers: to hide behind industry quotas, has had its day!

In addition, it suggests that electrical appliances should be used for longer and calls for a legally binding reusable rate of at least 15 percent. This concept is already a reality in countries such as Spain and Belgium! If we do not act, incorrectly disposed electrical appliances with lithium-ion batteries in the disposal systems could cause devastating fires. Immediate measures are needed here - a deposit on batteries would be a clever step!

"All of this is missing in the new electrical law, which has just been decided by the Federal Cabinet," criticizes Metz sharply. A call to the federal states: stands in the Federal Council for improvements!