Facts and figures
Electronic waste
E-waste has become an alarming problem that has an impact on our environment and health worldwide. Every year, 54 million tons of electrical appliances are disposed of, including cell phones, computers, household appliances and much more. The ever-increasing amount of electronic waste is a serious burden on our resources and contributes to air, water and soil pollution. According to current estimates, the amount of e-waste will more than triple by 2050 if effective measures are not taken. It is therefore crucial to develop strategies to reduce e-waste, promote recycling and extend the life of electronic devices.
61.9 million tons E-waste worldwide 1
Only 22.4% was collected and recycled 2
Consumer electronics
The consumer electronics industry is booming like never before, driven by an ever-growing need for increasingly advanced devices and technologies. Every year, new models of smartphones, tablets, laptops, TVs and other devices are launched on the market, offering even more powerful features and innovative designs. But while we rush to buy the latest gadgets, older devices are often forgotten. Many people replace their working electronic devices without reselling or repairing them, resulting in a growing amount of e-waste. This careless handling of equipment that is still functional contributes significantly to environmental pollution and wastes valuable resources. It is time to counteract this trend and find ways to extend the life of electronic devices and reduce electronic waste.
8.55 billion consumer consumer electronics sold 3
$1.1 trillion Sales 2021 4
Repair sector
Today's consumer electronics industry faces a variety of challenges that make it difficult for consumers to repair and maintain their devices. Manufacturers often rely on a policy of planned obsolescence, in which the lifespan of products is deliberately shortened in order to boost sales of new equipment. A classic example of this is wireless headphones, which often get lost or are difficult to repair due to their small size and complexity.
In addition, manufacturers often make it difficult or even impossible to repair their products by gluing components tightly, installing batteries tightly, or using proprietary screws that normal consumers cannot remove. This makes independent repairs difficult and often forces consumers to seek expensive repair services from the manufacturer.
This is particularly noticeable for Silicon Valley companies, which are known for their restrictive repair policies and high spare parts prices. Repairs outside of the official service network are often expensive and can jeopardize the device's warranty. This is a major hurdle for consumers who want to use and repair their devices for longer.
As a result, consumers' willingness to repair is often hampered by high costs, technical hurdles, and the difficulty of finding qualified repair services. This contributes to the growing amount of e-waste and amplifies the negative environmental impact of the consumer electronics industry.
70% of all replaced smartphones in Austria are functional 5
Only 20% have had their smartphone repaired 6
Sources
1 61.9 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022: https://www.statista.com/statistics/499891/projection-ewaste-generation-worldwide/
2 22.3 % recycling rate E-waste worldwide: https://ewastemonitor.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/GEM_2024_18-03_web_page_per_page_web.pdf
3 8.3 billion devices annually worldwide: https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/consumer-electronics/worldwide#volume
4 $1.1 trillion in consumer electronics sales: https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/consumer-electronics/worldwide#revenue
Repair measures
in the EU

In Germany, there are various initiatives to promote the repair of electronic devices. These include government support programs for repair services, educational campaigns to raise consumer awareness of the importance of repair and the creation of repair centers in communities and neighborhoods. In addition, the government has passed laws that oblige manufacturers to provide spare parts and repair information for their products.
In France, the government has taken measures to promote the repair of electronic devices. This includes the introduction of a "repair index" in 2021, which provides consumers with information about the repairability of electronic products. This initiative is intended to create transparency and encourage manufacturers to produce more durable and repairable appliances. In addition, there are a growing number of repair cafés and repair centers in France that offer free or low-cost repairs.
Italy has introduced a "repair charter" that obliges manufacturers to produce more durable and repair-friendly electronic products. This charter sets standards for the reparability of products and offers consumers better guidance when purchasing. In addition, there are a growing number of repair cafés and repair centers in Italy that offer free or low-cost repairs.
Spain has introduced various initiatives to promote the repair of electronic devices. This includes government subsidies for repair services, educational campaigns to raise consumer awareness of the importance of repair and the creation of repair centers in communities and neighborhoods. In addition, the government has passed laws that oblige manufacturers to provide spare parts and repair information for their products.
Poland has introduced programs to promote the repair of electronic devices, including state subsidies for repair services and the creation of repair centers in municipalities and neighborhoods. In addition, there is a growing number of repair cafés and repair shops in Poland that offer free or low-cost repairs.
In Estonia, there are increasing initiatives to promote the repair of electronic equipment, including educational campaigns to raise consumer awareness of the importance of repair and the creation of repair centers in communities and neighborhoods. The government has also passed laws that oblige manufacturers to produce more durable and repair-friendly products.