top of page

Luxembourg: A High Performer in Waste Management, but Lags in IoT Recycling

Expanded Statistical Insights: IoT Device Recycling in Luxembourg and the EU


Luxembourg demonstrates strong recycling performance overall, with 55.3% of municipal waste recycled in 2021, surpassing the EU average of 49.6%. However, its performance in recycling IoT and ICT devices is far less impressive:


  • According to Eurostat data, only 10-13% of old ICT equipment like laptops, tablets, and desktop computers is recycled across the EU, with Luxembourg expected to follow this trend due to similar consumer habits​


  • Anecdotal evidence suggests that a significant proportion of IoT devices in Luxembourg end up stored in homes, contributing to the “e-waste hoarding” phenomenon observed across Europe. For example, 33% of laptops and tablets remain unused but not disposed of in households​


The EU Context: Macro Trends in IoT Device Recycling

IoT device adoption in the EU is increasing rapidly, with 72% of internet users interacting with connected devices in 2022, including smart home entertainment systems, wearables, and energy management tools. Yet, the recycling of such devices lags behind:


  • Sweden leads in recycling ICT devices, with 29% of old desktop computers being recycled, compared to the EU average of 13%. Luxembourg, while generally aligned with the EU average in environmental practices, trails these high performers in e-waste management.

  • The EU produced 19 million tonnes of plastic and 64 million tonnes of ferrous metal waste in 2020, much of which originated from electronics, indicating the urgent need for more effective recycling systems​


Luxembourg's Unique Challenges

  1. Consumer Behavior: A lack of awareness about recycling options leads to low participation rates for specialized e-waste programs.

  2. Small Market Scale: Luxembourg’s size limits its capacity to independently develop and sustain advanced e-waste processing facilities.

  3. Cross-Border Dynamics: Many devices purchased or disposed of in Luxembourg interact with supply chains in neighbouring countries, complicating local recycling statistics.


Opportunities for Improvement

  • Targeted Campaigns: Raising awareness about recycling programs and data protection measures for IoT devices could encourage higher participation.

  • Incentive Programs: Subsidies or discounts for returning old devices could address economic disincentives for recycling.

  • Policy Alignment with EU Goals: Aligning with EU strategies, such as achieving 85% recycling rates for packaging materials by 2030, could indirectly boost IoT recycling rates.


Conclusion

While Luxembourg excels in overall waste recycling, its IoT and ICT device recycling rates highlight room for growth. At NTERA Sarl, we aim to address consumer habits, scale infrastructure, and align with broader EU trends that could help Luxembourg become a leader in sustainable IoT practices.


 
 
 

Commentaires

bottom of page