Not just waste…

E-waste congress in Spain discusses this valuable resource

European Recycling Platform (ERP) Spain took part in the 7th National Congress on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Management on 7 and 8 October in A Coruña.

The event is Spain’s leading annual forum focused on sustainability, innovation and circular economy policies related to this fast-growing waste stream.

Once again, ERP Spain reaffirmed its commitment by actively contributing to the event – together with seven other producer responsibility organisations (PROs) coordinated by the WEEE coordination office, OfiRAEE – plus the support of the Regional Government of Galicia, and in collaboration with the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge.

Strategic context

The congress took place in a strategic context marked by:

• the approval of new EU regulations
• the Circular Economy Action Plan
• the Raw Materials Act, and
• the Waste Framework Directive (WFD)

All of the above position WEEE as a key pillar for Europe’s green and digital transition.

Over 300 experts participated, including institutional representatives, companies, recyclers, manufacturers, distributors, sectoral associations and local authorities.

They discussed the challenges and opportunities of WEEE management, material recovery and green job creation.

Speakers from across Europe also shared insights and best practices that highlighted the importance of circular models and sustainable management for the sector’s future.

Key voices

Among the key voices, María José Echevarría, Director General for Environmental Quality and Sustainability of the Galician Government, stressed that “without investment, there is no transformation”, encouraging private participation and entrepreneurship as drivers of the circular economy.

The PROs of OfiRAEE underlined the impact of new EU regulations and the importance of public–private cooperation.

They also emphasised the importance of proper separation and delivery of WEEE for recycling and reuse, reminding citizens of their right to return old devices free of charge when purchasing new ones.

The congress also featured a roundtable on Framework Agreements for WEEE Management, with contributions from the Catalan Waste Agency, the Regional Government of Galicia, and the Provincial Councils of Ourense and Pontevedra.

Ángel García, Vice-President of Spain’s National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC), delivered a keynote speech offering valuable insight into regulation and the role of WEEE in the energy and digital transition.

The event also highlighted the progress made since Spain’s first WEEE Royal Decree in 2005, while acknowledging the need for further progress in public awareness, collection infrastructure, and reuse initiatives.

With the circular economy as its central theme, the congress once again demonstrated that electronic waste is not just waste, but a valuable resource that can be transformed into new opportunities for society.

Find out more here.