Small electronics, big circular challenge

Smartphones, laptops, screens and small household appliances: this small consumer electronics is the fastest-growing e-waste stream. Problematic, because these products contain valuable and critical raw materials. Research by Invest-NL through nlmtd shows how these material flows operate and what steps are necessary to achieve the circular ambition by 2050.

Insight into the supply chain

The Netherlands aims to have a circular economy by 2050 and has initiated the transition in recent years. To determine where the greatest circular opportunities and bottlenecks lie, Invest-NL and nlmtd mapped the material flows of small electronics for the first time in an integrated and quantitative manner: from intake and use, to disposal, reuse, and recycling. By gaining insight into where the supply chain gets stuck, Invest-NL can contribute to solutions that make circularity investable and scalable.

The report provides a substantiated basis for actions in policy, collaboration, and investment.

Electronics chain still largely linear

The analysis shows that the chain of small consumer electronics still functions mainly in a linear manner. Of the approximately 160,000 tons of electronics placed on the market in 2024, only 15 percent consists of secondary materials. Additionally, nearly one in three devices ends up in residual or industrial waste when disposed of, causing valuable and critical materials to be lost.

“We see that value leaks on a large scale,” says Guy de Sévaux, theme lead for Biobased & Circular Economy at Invest-NL. “This research shows where the chain gets stuck and where targeted investments and collaboration can make a difference.”

Accelerating circularity

Invest-NL calls on producers, retailers, supply chain partners, and financiers to take the next step together: from analysis to implementation. Accelerating requires systemic change across the entire chain. The report contains concrete recommendations to extend the lifespan of products and better organize material flows. It also provides insight into where opportunities lie for recovering critical and strategic metals.

Companies and supply chains facing funding issues are invited by Invest-NL to jointly develop solutions that make circularity scalable and investable.