Recycling rate of waste of electrical and electronic equipment in Norway 2010-2021

In Norway, the recycling rate of electrical and electronic equipment waste (WEEE) has seen a fluctuation since 2010, and by 2020 reached a peak of 91 percent. In 2021, the rate of electronic and electrical waste declined slightly from the previous year to 83.7 percent. Electronic waste, often referred to as e-waste, is electronic products such as phones, computers and televisions that are discarded at the end of their useful life.

High rates of discarded electronics

The volume of collected e-waste in Norway has seen a significant rise since the turn of the century. By 2017, volumes amounted to approximately 143,610 metric tons. However, Norwegians generate the highest volumes of e-waste per capita worldwide. In 2016, 27.1 kilograms of e-waste was disposed of per person. This is a slight decrease though compared to 2009, when e-waste peaked at 32 kilograms per inhabitant.

E-waste a growing problem

E-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams around the world. Rapid development of new technology and shorter product lifespans means more waste is produced each day. As more and more e-waste is disposed of, more health concerns arise. This can be especially prevalent in developing countries, where vast quantities of e-waste are exported to. With a lack of proper waste management, electronics are often burnt, resulting in the likely contamination of soil, water and food.