Shaping the future of e-waste in the EU: Imaginaries, actors, and interests

Nora Krenmayr; Benjamin  Fleischmann; Gabriel Eyselein; Anke  Schaffartzik; Melanie  Pichler

doi:10.20446/JEP-2414-3197-42-2-99

Shaping the future of e-waste in the EU: Imaginaries, actors, and interests

Nora Krenmayr
, Benjamin Fleischmann
, Gabriel Eyselein
, Anke Schaffartzik
, Melanie Pichler

Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
University of Vienna

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract (may include machine translation)

Recycling alone cannot resolve the escalating challenge of electronic waste (e-waste), as rising device production and planned obsolescence outpace recovery efforts. Despite the European Union’s advances in recycling policy, structural limits undermine its impact. Drawing on 20 expert interviews, this paper distinguishes three imaginaries of the future of e-waste: recycling, circularity, and sufficiency. It argues that transformative change in the e-waste sector requires moving beyond optimisation within existing systems and challenging the growth imperatives that underpin production and consumption, while confronting the root causes of e-waste and the globalised inequalities they (re)produce.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	99-127
Number of pages	29
Journal	Journal fur Entwicklungspolitik
Volume	42
Issue number	2/3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.20446/JEP-2414-3197-42-2-99
State	Published - 27 Jul 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Keywords

circularity
digitalisation
recycling
sufficiency
transformation

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10.20446/JEP-2414-3197-42-2-99

Cite this

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title = "Shaping the future of e-waste in the EU: Imaginaries, actors, and interests",

abstract = "Recycling alone cannot resolve the escalating challenge of electronic waste (e-waste), as rising device production and planned obsolescence outpace recovery efforts. Despite the European Union{\textquoteright}s advances in recycling policy, structural limits undermine its impact. Drawing on 20 expert interviews, this paper distinguishes three imaginaries of the future of e-waste: recycling, circularity, and sufficiency. It argues that transformative change in the e-waste sector requires moving beyond optimisation within existing systems and challenging the growth imperatives that underpin production and consumption, while confronting the root causes of e-waste and the globalised inequalities they (re)produce.",

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AU - Eyselein, Gabriel

AU - Schaffartzik, Anke

AU - Pichler, Melanie

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © Mattersburger Kreis für Entwicklungspolitik Alle Rechte vorbehalten. Jede Verwertung bedarf der vorherigen schriftlichen Zustimmung der Redaktion. Namentlich gekennzeichnete Beiträge geben nicht in jedem Fall die Meinung des Verlages wieder. Satz: Anne Lange Design, Wien Druck: Interpress, Budapest

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AB - Recycling alone cannot resolve the escalating challenge of electronic waste (e-waste), as rising device production and planned obsolescence outpace recovery efforts. Despite the European Union’s advances in recycling policy, structural limits undermine its impact. Drawing on 20 expert interviews, this paper distinguishes three imaginaries of the future of e-waste: recycling, circularity, and sufficiency. It argues that transformative change in the e-waste sector requires moving beyond optimisation within existing systems and challenging the growth imperatives that underpin production and consumption, while confronting the root causes of e-waste and the globalised inequalities they (re)produce.

KW - circularity

KW - digitalisation

KW - recycling

KW - sufficiency

KW - transformation

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ER -

Shaping the future of e-waste in the EU: Imaginaries, actors, and interests

Abstract (may include machine translation)

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

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