Electronic Waste Recycling Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Material Type (Metals, Plastics, Glass), Recycling Technology (Pyrometallurgy, Hydrometallurgy), Device Type (Household Appliances, Consumer Electronics), Source - Global Forecast to 2031

Electronic Waste Recycling Market Size & Forecast

The Electronic Waste Recycling Market was valued at $31.4 billion in 2023. This market is projected to reach $84.3 billion by 2031 from an estimated $34.6 billion in 2024, at a CAGR of 13.6% during the forecast period of 2024-2031.

Key factors driving the growth of this market include the shortened life cycle of electronic devices, the rising utilization of these devices, the increase in e-waste generation globally, and stringent governmental regulations on e-waste disposal. Furthermore, innovations in recycling technologies, increasing government subsidies & incentives aimed at promoting the adoption of sustainable recycling practices, and a growing demand for consumer electronics are expected to offer substantial opportunities for market participants.

Key Findings in the Electronic Waste Recycling Market

• By Material Type: In 2024, the Metals Segment is Expected to Dominate the Global Electronic Waste Recycling Market
• By Recycling Technology: In 2024, the Pyrometallurgy Segment is Expected to Dominate the Global Electronic Waste Recycling Market
• By Device Type: In 2024, the Household Appliances Segment is Expected to Dominate the Global Electronic Waste Recycling Market
• By Source: In 2024, the Residential Segment is Expected to Dominate the Global Electronic Waste Recycling Market
• By Geography: Europe Dominates Electronic Waste Recycling Market in 2024

Electronic Waste Recycling Market Trends

Integration of Automation and Robotics in E-waste Recycling Processes

Robotics are increasingly being integrated into e-waste recycling processes to enhance efficiency and precision. This integration has led to higher recovery rates of valuable materials, such as metals and glass, from electronic devices. Automation reduces manual labor and minimizes the handling of toxic materials, thereby lowering risks to human health and the environment. Ongoing advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning are further enhancing the capabilities of e-waste recycling systems.

Automation and robotics are applied at various stages of the e-waste recycling process, including sorting, disassembly, material recovery, handling hazardous materials, smelting & refining, and quality control. These technologies improve the accuracy of material sorting, increase the speed and efficiency of recycling processes, and reduce the reliance on manual labor, ultimately lowering operating costs.

Several organizations are collaborating to develop robotic systems for e-waste recycling. For instance, in October 2024, ABB Ltd. (Switzerland) partnered with Molg Inc. (U.S.) to create robotic microfactories for recovering and recycling electronic equipment from data centers. This collaboration aims to automate the disassembly and recovery of e-waste while addressing worker welfare, environmental impacts, and regulatory compliance. Such initiatives by major market players are expected to support market growth during the forecast period.

Electronic Waste Recycling Market Drivers

Increase in E-waste Generation Globally

Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing solid waste streams worldwide. Millions of electrical and electronic devices are discarded each year by consumers and industries when these products break down or become obsolete. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 62 million tonnes of e-waste were generated globally in 2022, with only 22.3% documented as formally collected and recycled. Common materials found in e-waste include computers, mobile phones, large household appliances, and medical equipment.

Technological advancements have shortened the lifespans of electronic devices. The frequent release of newer models with improved features encourages consumers to replace older devices, further contributing to e-waste generation. The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) reported that 33% of e-waste consists of small devices, such as toys, microwave ovens, vacuum cleaners, and e-cigarettes, with only 12% of these items being recycled.

Furthermore, according to UNITAR, in 2022, Asian countries were responsible for generating 50% of the world’s e-waste, while Europe documented, collected, and recycled 42.8% of its e-waste. In contrast, African countries recycled less than 1% of their e-waste. Regions with the highest documented per capita collection and recycling rates include Europe (7.5 kg), Oceania (6.7 kg), and the Americas (4.2 kg). Additionally, 16 million tonnes of e-waste were collected and recycled outside formal systems in high- and upper-middle-income countries with established e-waste management infrastructure. However, 18 million tonnes of e-waste are managed by the informal sector in low- and lower-middle-income countries lacking such infrastructure.

The increasing generation of e-waste is anticipated to drive the growth of the electronic waste recycling market.

Electronic Waste Recycling Market Opportunities

Government Subsidies & Incentives Aimed at Promoting the Adoption of Sustainable Recycling Practices

Governments worldwide are increasingly offering and implementing subsidies and incentives to encourage e-waste recycling. These initiatives aim to address the growing environmental concerns associated with e-waste, which has become a significant issue due to the rising volume of discarded electronic devices each year. Many developing countries struggle to manage e-waste, often resorting to harmful practices such as burning electronics or dumping them in landfills, which results in pollution and health hazards for both people and the environment. In response, government bodies are focusing on promoting e-waste recycling through various financial incentives.

Some examples of government subsidies and incentives for e-waste recycling are as follows:

• E-Waste (Management) Rules (India): This scheme provides a financial incentive of 25% on capital expenditure for a specified list of electronic products, including components, semiconductor/display fabrication units, assembly/testing/marking/packaging (ATMP) units, specialized sub-assemblies, and capital goods involved in high-value manufacturing.
• Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling Grant Program (U.S.): Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the U.S. allocated USD 275 million for Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grants to enhance post-consumer materials management and infrastructure, supporting growth in recycling efforts across the country.

Such government initiatives are expected to offer significant growth opportunities for players operating in the electronic waste recycling market during the forecast period.

Electronic Waste Recycling Market Analysis:

By Material Type: In 2024, the Metals Segment is Expected to Dominate the Electronic Waste Recycling Market

Based on material type, the global electronic waste recycling market is segmented into metals, plastics, glass, and other material types. In 2024, the metals segment is estimated to account for the largest share of the global electronic waste recycling market. The large market share of this segment is primarily attributed to the rising prices of precious metals such as gold, silver, and platinum and the growing demand for metals in various applications, including electronics, medical equipment, and IT & telecommunications devices.

The metals segment of the electronic waste recycling market is divided into precious metals and base metals. Precious metals include gold, silver, and platinum, while base metals include copper, iron, nickel, tin, lead, aluminum, zinc, and other base metals. These metals are valuable resources extracted from electronic devices and reused for various applications.

Several methods are employed to recover metals from electronic waste, including pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and bioleaching. Pyrometallurgy specifically involves smelting and refining e-waste to recover metals like gold, silver, and copper.

According to the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), in 2022, approximately 31 million tonnes of metals embedded in e-waste had a total value of USD 91 billion. Recovering and recycling these metals helps conserve natural resources and decreases the need for mining new resources. Additionally, metal recycling typically requires less energy compared to extracting and processing metals from raw materials, further mitigating the environmental impact of e-waste disposal.

Geographical Analysis

Europe Dominates the Electronic Waste Recycling Market in 2024

In 2024, Europe is estimated to account for the largest share of the global electronic waste recycling market. Europe’s major market share is due to strict government regulations governing e-waste disposal, a high level of public awareness regarding the importance of recycling, and increased investments in cutting-edge recycling technologies.

However, the market in Asia-Pacific is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of this regional market is driven by rapid population growth, rising demand for electronic devices, and the implementation of government regulations and policies aimed at promoting e-waste recycling. Additionally, countries like China, India, and Indonesia are major contributors to both the generation and recycling of e-waste, which further propels the growth of this market in Asia-Pacific.

Key Companies

The report includes a competitive landscape based on an extensive assessment of the key growth strategies adopted by leading market participants over the past three years (2021-2024).

The key players profiled in the global electronic waste recycling market report are UMICORE NV (Belgium), Boliden Group (Sweden), Aurubis AG (Germany), Veolia Environment SA (France), Enviro-Hub Holdings Ltd. (Singapore), Electronic Recyclers International, Inc. (U.S.), Stena Metall AB (Sweden), Tetronics International Limited (UK), Attero Recycling Pvt. Ltd. (India), Quantum Lifecycle Partners (Canada), Great Lakes Electronics Corporation (U.S.), Sembcorp Industries (Singapore), Cleanaway (Australia), Greentek Solutions, LLC (U.S.), and WM Intellectual Property Holdings, L.L.C. (U.S.).

Electronic Waste Recycling Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players

• In July 2024, Attero Recycling Pvt. Ltd. (India) launched Selsmart, an integrated platform designed for consumer take-back of electronic waste (e-waste), aimed at transforming the e-waste recycling landscape.
• In June 2024, BASF (Malaysia) collaborated with ERTH Corporation (Canada) to initiate an e-waste recycling campaign focused on mitigating environmental pollution.
• In September 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a USD 100 million investment to enhance recycling infrastructure and waste management systems nationwide.
• In March 2023, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) (India) launched the "Sound Management of Waste Disposal (SMWD)" initiative as part of its sustainability efforts to reduce and recycle e-waste.

Electronic Waste Recycling Market Research Summary

Key questions answered in the report: