SCYCLE

The Netherlands formally collected and treated 255,000 tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in 2024 — an increase of almost 40 per cent compared with 2018. A new assessment by UNITAR and Stichting OPEN shows the progress made over the past decade, while identifying where further action is needed.

The Dutch WEEE Flows 2024 provides an updated overview of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market, equipment stocks, WEEE generation, collection and recycling, exports for reuse, and flows outside the formal system.

An estimated 373,000 tonnes of WEEE were generated in the Netherlands in 2024, around 12 per cent more than in 2018. Formal collection reached 68.5 per cent of this amount, rising to 71.2 per cent when exports for reuse are taken into account. This represents a substantial improvement from approximately 50 per cent in 2018 and around one third in 2010.

However, an estimated 103,000 tonnes still remained outside the formal collection and treatment system. This included electronic waste mixed with metal scrap or discarded in household, business and bulky waste streams. Formal collection therefore remained below the national target of 85 per cent of WEEE generated.

The report also highlights the rapid growth of electronics stocks in Dutch households and businesses. These reached a record 6.8 million tonnes in 2024, driven partly by technologies supporting the energy transition, including photovoltaic panels, heat pumps and electric bicycles. Around 645,000 tonnes of unused equipment are estimated to be stored in households alone.

Prepared jointly by UNITAR and Stichting OPEN, the study provides a strong evidence base for reducing leakage, improving collection and recovering more valuable materials from end-of-life electronics.

Download the full report: The Dutch WEEE Flows 2024