In 2024, Germany processed nearly 758 000 tonnes of electronic and electrical waste as recycled material-an increase of 1.5 % (11 100 tonnes) over the previous year. According to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis), an additional 17 600 tonnes of old devices were set aside for reuse, which is 6.3 % (1 200 tonnes) less than in 2023. Another 127 000 tonnes (13.8 %) were directed to alternative utilization or disposal, with 17 100 tonnes (1.9 %) added as a separate figure.
Altogether, 920 000 tonnes of electronic and electrical waste were either recycled, reused, otherwise utilized, or disposed of. The share of devices accepted for initial treatment rose by 1.5 %-13 600 tonnes more-relative to 2023. The recycling rate, defined as the proportion of material that was either recycled or prepared for reuse, remained essentially unchanged, falling from 84.5 % in 2023 to 84.3 % in 2024.
Device categories account for the bulk of the material. Small appliances-such as vacuum cleaners, toasters, irons, toner cartridges, and e‑cigarettes-made up 32.8 % (301 500 tonnes) of all accepted waste. Large appliances (excluding photovoltaic modules), including washing machines, electric stoves, and pedelecs, represented 27.2 % (250 600 tonnes). Heat‑transfer devices-namely refrigeration, freezer, and air‑conditioning units-comprised 19.2 % (176 700 tonnes) of the accepted stock.