IPC International Community magazine an association member publication
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FA L L 2 0 2 5 C O M M U N I T Y M A G A Z I N E 6 9 Despite already existing legislation (e.g., the Waste Framework Directive, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, and the Packaging Waste Regu- lation), progress toward circularity has been negligi- ble in the past decade. E-waste skyrocketed from 34 million tons in 2010 to 62 million tons in 2022, with an estimated 82 mil- lion tons by 2030, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 2 . Additionally, the amount of e-waste produced has grown five times faster than collection and recycling capacities over the same period 3 . Moreover, on July 16, 2025, the EC revealed its plan for the post-2027 Multiannual Finan- cial Framework (MFF), where revenue streams will partially come from a new proposed tax on e-waste, modeled on the already existing tax on nonrecycled plastic waste, a model that is not without its own flaws. Circularity Goals Circularity aims to create systems where resources are reused, recycled, or repurposed to minimize waste and maximize efficiency. It is vital for sustainable devel- opment, reducing environmental impact, conserving resources, and creating economic opportunities. Expected benefits include: • Resource conservation: Minimizing extraction of finite materials through reuse and recycling, and other "r" terms that promote recovery • Waste reduction: Designing products for longev- ity and repairability • Energy efficiency: Reducing energy demands in production • Economic growth: Unlocking business opportu- nities in recycling and refurbishing • Environmental protection: Lowering emissions and pollution 4 This all sounds good and straightforward in theory, but we know that the practical hurdles are real, and we aim to address the main ones and get the conver- sation started. What's Being Proposed in the CEA? The CEA will focus on two key intervention areas: 1. Tackling e-waste, the fastest-growing waste stream in the EU, with less than 40% currently recycled. The initiative may involve updating ex- isting legislation to improve collection, recycling, and market uptake of secondary raw materials. 2. Creating a true Single Market for secondary raw materials and waste, through reforming end-of- waste criteria, simplifying and digitalizing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes, and intro- ducing targeted criteria for public procurement to stimulate demand for circular goods and services. Both legislative and non-legislative measures are on the table, with a focus on reducing administrative burdens and improving economic viability for circular systems. What's in the CEA Consultation? The questionnaire format includes approximately 30 questions across key themes: • General perspectives on the circular economy • Challenges and opportunities for e-waste • Barriers to circular business models in the European Single Market • Supply and demand for secondary raw materials • Improving waste management and circular processes This is a critical opportunity to shape a legislative framework that supports innovation, investment cer- tainty, and cross-border compliance for circular busi- ness practices. Circularity Challenges, Weak Areas, and Possible Solutions for Electronics The transition to a circular economy, especially for the electronics sector, remains challenging due to several factors, including complex regulations, market barri- ers, and the current lack of a standardized approach to ensure similar quality for recycled materials and components. There are, nonetheless, actionable ways for elec- tronics manufacturers to implement meaningful changes and integrate circularity into daily opera- tions to promote sustainable technologies. Achieving circularity for electronics means working together to overcome key challenges 5 , including the need for: • Data availability and standardization: There is currently a lack of reliable, consistent (or stan- dardized) data, which hinders lifecycle assess- ments (LCAs) and informed decision-making.