Nicosia:The country reported the lowest collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment per capita in the European Union in 2024, with just 4.7 kg, as revealed by recent data from Eurostat.

According to Cyprus News Agency, in the same year, Cyprus also had one of the lowest figures for new electrical and electronic equipment introduced to the market, at 15.4 kg per capita. Slovakia and Greece recorded similarly low levels, with 17.5 kg and 18 kg per capita, respectively.

Across the EU, the average collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment per capita stood at 12.3 kg in 2024, while 32.4 kg of new equipment per capita was introduced to the market. This discrepancy suggests an increase in the stock of electrical items, which may still be in use, stored, or improperly disposed of.

From 2015 to 2024, the amount of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the EU market surged by 79%, rising from 18.1 kg per capita to 32.4 kg. This growth was largely driven by large items such as washing machines and photovoltaic panels. Meanwhile, electronic waste collection grew more slowly, from 7.3 kg per capita in 2015 to 12.3 kg in 2024, marking a 0.7 kg per capita increase from 2023.

Following Cyprus, Portugal and Malta had the next lowest e-waste collection figures, with 6 kg and 6.4 kg per capita, respectively. Conversely, Bulgaria led the EU with 18.9 kg per capita, followed by Czechia and France, collecting 17.8 kg and 17.7 kg per capita, respectively.