This year’s International E-Waste Day will focus on critical raw materials, the elements essential to the economy that have a high risk of supply disruption and limited substitutes.
Taking place on 14 October 2025, the 8th edition of International E-Waste Day will focus on highlighting how critical raw materials (CRMs) can be recovered from unused or broken electronic products.
A study by WEEE Forum and UNITAR showed that households own an average of 74 EEE items – excluding lamps and luminaires – of which 61 items are in use, nine are hoarded but working, and four are hoarded and not working.
The total mass of items in households is 90 million tonnes (Mt) of which 7 Mt is hoarded and working, and 3 Mt is hoarded and broken, according to the study.
Research published by Material Focus last year, found UK households are hoarding 880 million unused electrical items, and throwing away 103,000 tonnes of electricals annually.
The research, ‘Electrical Waste: Challenges and Opportunities’, found that the materials contained inside these “lost electricals” are worth £927 million.
By returning electrical items through official collection channels, consumers play a role in keeping critical resources in the loop and supporting the circular economy.
International E-Waste Day organisers will provide guidance, tools, and local events to help people make informed choices and dispose of their electricals in a way that allows CRMs to be recovered.
