ECOTIC is the first organization of producers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) in Romania, founded in 2006 with the aim of bringing more efficiency in fulfilling their environmental responsibilities.

In 2022, ECOTEC interviewed 1500 randomly selected individuals to better understand how the population handles small e-waste (such as toasters, coffee machines, hairdryers, cameras, mobile phones etc.), readily available in most households.

• In general, the Romanian population seems to hoard less small EEE (electrical and electronic equipment) than the European average.
• However, 1/3 of the hoarded items are defective and the remaining 2/3 are albeit functional, not intended to be reused in the future.
• 42% of respondents kept the products in question as a back-up or because of its sentimental value.
• Last not but least, shockingly, only 8% of the respondents thought of future disposal.
• When disposed, 4550 tons out of about 8300 tons were disposed through incorrect channels. Those who chose the correct outlets, disposed 1600 tons in stores, 1200 tons through municipalities and 950 at other collection points.
• 1/3 of the population give away for reuse, 1/3 dispose of no longer needed small e-waste incorrectly and 1/3 find the right channel to hand over unused products.

Last but not least, these percentages confirmed that about a third of the population are aware of existing e-waste collection points.

Read more about ECOTIC’s findings  here.