ZVEI – ZVEI survey: There is still a need for more information about recycling

• For the most part, consumers dispose of classic old electro devices correctly
• However, 38 percent of those surveyed do not feel well informed about the proper disposal of electronic devices
• There is a need for clarification, particularly when it comes to hidden electronics

Consumers overwhelmingly consider recycling to be very important, according to a current GfK consumer survey commissioned by ZVEI. Afterwards, 85 percent of those surveyed said that the reuse of raw materials from electronic products means a lot to them. However, over a third of those surveyed do not have sufficient knowledge of how to dispose of old electrical devices properly. Deficits are particularly evident in products with built-in electronics. For example, respondents often do not recognize bicycle helmets with rear lights (34%) or greeting cards that play music (39%) as old electrical devices. Things look much better for obvious household appliances such as kettles (91%) or washing machines (90%), which are correctly classified as old electrical appliances.

“Recycling is a task for society as a whole and everyone can make a valuable contribution. Only when manufacturers and consumers pull together will we come closer to the goal of a functioning circular economy. Prescribed, rigid quotas do not help. As a society, we need to channel the obvious will to recycle even better and turn it into action,” says Christian Eckert, Head of Sustainability and Environment at ZVEI. 

It is important to follow the established disposal routes, from the municipal recycling center to the retailer. Most consumers use the recycling center. Almost half of those surveyed said they had disposed of electrical or electronic devices there in the past two years. Handing over the old device as part of the delivery of a new device (20%), collecting it by the municipal waste disposal company (19%) and returning it to a specialist store (15%) have also proven to be successful. What is encouraging is that consumers are adopting new approaches. Almost ten percent are already taking advantage of the opportunity to hand in old appliances to the supermarket. This possibility has only existed since 2022. However, increased information remains important. According to the ZVEI/GfK survey, in the past 24 months, six percent of those surveyed disposed of their old devices in the residual waste and three percent in the yellow bag. 

In order to prevent electrical devices from being disposed of incorrectly, targeted and constant information is required. As a joint body for manufacturers, the Old Electrical Equipment Register Foundation (ear Foundation) uses the “Plan E” campaign to inform consumers nationwide about the correct disposal of old electronic devices as part of its legal information mandate. The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, the Federal Environment Agency as well as the ZVEI and its members support this campaign. 

About the ZVEI consumer survey

The representative online survey was carried out in October 2023 with the GfK eBUS® on behalf of the ZVEI. 1,007 people aged 18-74 in Germany were surveyed.