E-waste recycling industry slammed by strenuous market conditions, say experts

SPOKANE (Scrap Monster): The participants at the 15^th International Electronics Recycling Congress held January 19^th-22^nd at Salzburg, Austria noted that electronics recycling sector is currently impacted by adverse market conditions. Low collection volumes and plunging prices are seen threatening the very existence of the industry. The meeting attended by nearly 500 industry representatives across the globe, discussed the new challenges faced by e-waste recycling companies.

According to participants, the weight of collected e-scrap is likely to drop considerably in future. The recent shift to smaller electronic devices will affect the volume of e-waste, by the time these devices reach end-of-life period. Smaller devices are said to contain lesser quantities of precious and other recoverable metals in them. This in turn will lead to huge drop in collection volumes of precious and other valuable metals out of these devices. Moreover, the material value of electronics scrap has plunged heavily on account of huge drop in commodity prices. The participants also highlighted that considerable quantities of e-waste still continues to be exported illegally.

The tough market conditions have led to reduced earnings for many e-waste recycling firms. As a result, many firms, particularly in the Europe and North America, are being forced to close down their operation facilities. Also, many companies are being forced to diversify their business in an attempt to stay alive during these difficult times.

The keynote speakers Steve Skurnac, Sims Recycling Solutions, USA and Dr Markus Laubscher, Philips Group Sustainability, Netherlands reminded that recycling industry has a very prominent role to play in ensuring that reclaimable commodities are returned to the manufacturing stream and discarded electronics are handled in the most environmentally responsible manner possible.

The IERC 2016 is the recycling industry's most important event, bringing together over 500 producers, recyclers, equipment manufacturers, recycling associations, refurbishers, standards bodies, NGOs, regulators and many more.