Nov. 27, 2025 –
By Michael Allen
Researchers are developing reusable and environmentally friendly electronics for the healthcare, consumer and manufacturing sectors, replacing scarce materials with circular alternatives to build a sustainable future.
Europe’s appetite for electronics keeps growing, but so does the waste. From smartphones and laptops to medical sensors, more devices mean mounting piles of discarded hardware.
According to Eurostat, around 5 million tonnes of electronic waste is collected for recycling in the EU each year. That is more than 11 kilograms per household, enough to cover around 2 000 football pitches stacked a metre high.
These 5 million tonnes represent less than 40% of the total mass of electronics put on the European market annually. The rest often ends up in landfills because mixed materials make recycling difficult.