Europe Advances E-Waste Reduction with Sustainable Electronics Innovation

Europe faces a growing challenge with electronic waste (e-waste), generating approximately 5 million tonnes of e-waste annually—equivalent to over 11 kg per household. Despite significant recycling efforts, less than 40% of electronics placed on the EU market are processed properly, with the majority ending up in landfills due to the complexity of recycling mixed materials.

The SUSTRONICS Initiative: Reimagining Electronics Sustainability

To address this issue, the EU-funded SUSTRONICS project is spearheading research into reusable, environmentally friendly electronics across healthcare, consumer, and industrial sectors. Led by Philips and involving 46 partners from 11 countries, SUSTRONICS runs until mid-2026 with support from the Chips Joint Undertaking, a public–private partnership focused on sustainable electronics manufacturing.

The project prioritizes:

• Innovative materials: Replacing scarce and environmentally harmful elements like silver with abundant alternatives (copper, carbon).
• Eco-conscious design: Creating products that are easier to repair, reuse, and recycle.
• Sustainable manufacturing: Incorporating bio-based and paper-based substrates and 3D-printed components.

These developments align with the EU’s 2024 eco-design and right-to-repair regulations aimed at extending product lifespans and promoting circular economy principles.

Healthcare Pilots Demonstrate Practical Impact

SUSTRONICS pilots innovative medical devices to reduce single-use electronics waste. Notably:

• Smart incontinence pads: Featuring removable, recyclable electronic strips and reusable clip-on readers, these pads improve patient care and dignity while prioritizing energy efficiency.
• Skin patches: For real-time glucose monitoring.
• Smart wound dressings: Alerting when replacement is needed.

These devices use sustainable materials and energy-efficient software, reducing the carbon footprint of continuous patient monitoring.

Towards a Circular Electronics Industry

The project’s research into substituting materials like silver with copper or carbon presents challenges in maintaining device performance but promises significant environmental benefits. Beyond healthcare, SUSTRONICS explores repairability enhancements in consumer products such as shavers and lighting.

This innovation supports the upcoming EU Circular Economy Act (expected 2026), which aims to:

• Create a single market for secondary raw materials.
• Double Europe’s circularity rate from 12% to 24% by 2030.
• Strengthen the EU’s leadership in the global circular economy through the Clean Industrial Deal.

Conclusion

SUSTRONICS exemplifies how technological innovation can simultaneously elevate healthcare quality and reduce environmental impact. Its achievements could set new industry standards, promoting sustainable design and circularity in electronics, benefitting both consumers and the planet.

Research funded by the EU Horizon Programme. For more information, visit the SUSTRONICS project website.

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