E-waste not, want not - Why electronic waste is a vital element of the circular economy
Electronic waste, or e-waste, encompasses discarded electronic devices and components, ranging from smartphones and computers to industrial machinery. The rapid advancement of technology has led to a significant increase in e-waste, with projections estimating it will reach 75 million tons by 2030 [1].
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4min
2025-04-16
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62 million tons of electronic waste (e-waste) was produced in 2022, and global e-waste is projected to rise to 75 million tons by 2030.02
Surge poses substantial environmental and health challenges.03
We are transforming industrial electronic waste management through innovative recycling and circular economy initiatives.Dealing with electronic waste involves everyone along the value chain – it’s not solely the responsibility of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). E-waste also includes components that customers discard throughout an asset’s life cycle—often prematurely. This is where we step in, emphasizing repair, reuse and recycling to extend the usability of the assets, despite defective components. This approach conserves resources and reduces waste.
ABB's commitment to reducing e-waste
We’re working to address the problem of e-waste by implementing innovative programs aimed at promoting circularity and sustainability. Our circular approach covers the whole lifecycle of a product, from design to responsible end-of-life.
Embracing circularity doesn’t just reduce waste—it enhances reliability, cuts costs, and builds resilience in supply chains.
93 percent reduction in e-waste through a Parts Circularity Program
In 2020, ABB's Energy Industries Service launched a Parts Circularity Program focused on the repair, reuse, and recycling of faulty units from their Control System product portfolio. Over a four-year period, this initiative achieved a 93 percent reduction in electronic waste sent to landfills. Specifically, the amount of e-waste decreased from 214.5 kg in 2020 to just 14.2 kg by the end of 2023.
ABB’s Parts Circularity Program isn’t just about waste reduction but also about rethinking the lifecycle of industrial components. We follow a repair-first philosophy, rather than immediately recycling. The program operates by collecting faulty parts from customers and assessing their potential for repair or remanufacturing.
If repairable, these units are refurbished and reintroduced into operation, extending their lifecycle and conserving resources. When parts cannot be repaired, we ensure responsible disposal through collaborations with recycling partners like Stena Recycling in Europe and Ohio Drop Off in the United States. These partnerships provide certified reports detailing the material properties of each part, offering transparency in sustainability reporting.
By extending the lifecycle of electronic components and ensuring proper recycling, we not only reduce environmental impact but also offer economic benefits. Customers participating in the Parts Circularity Program receive incentives for exchanging faulty parts for refurbished or remanufactured ones, providing cost-effective and sustainable solutions.
SwissRTec turnkey recycling plants with ABB motors
To support with the recycling of electronic waste, which remains low at only 40 percent3 recycled in the EU, SwissRTec is designing customer-specific recycling plants for this purpose, which allow a particularly high yield of the raw materials they contain – and relies on ABB electric motors for this purpose.
The two-step process involves vertical shredders, then pulping mills, both of which use ABB motors. Typical composites in this area include e-waste, lithium-ion batteries, cables or circuit board cables or circuit boards as carriers for electronic components. They contain a lot of copper in particular. This valuable metal can be recycled by a plant with the digestion mill.
Assembly of an ABB engine on a SwissRTec vertical shredder.
Meeting the challenge of a global problem
The challenges posed by e-waste are global, necessitating concerted efforts from corporations, governments, and consumers. Our initiatives demonstrate the potential of combining circular economy principles with technological innovation to address this issue effectively. Circularity isn’t just an idealized notion: it creates new business business opportunities and is scalable.
A model of “repair, reuse, and recycle”, makes it possible to mitigate the impact of e-waste, conserve resources, and promote a sustainable industrial ecosystem.