Rimini, Italy — At the Ecomondo conference, a key international event for sustainable development, the CDCNPA (National Coordination Center for Batteries and Accumulators) unveiled a detailed study on the collection of portable batteries within Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), showcasing innovative strategies that could offer valuable insights for African countries managing the rise of e-waste. The report, titled “The Collection of Portable Batteries Contained in WEEE: Benchmarking and Best Practices,” provides a benchmark analysis across European nations and highlights solutions that may have applications in countries facing similar e-waste challenges, particularly in Africa.
Conducted by the consultancy firm dss+, the CDCNPA study underscores significant disparities in the collection rates of batteries contained in WEEE, with European leaders such as Switzerland, Belgium, and France reaching recovery rates up to 14.9 kg per ton of WEEE, far above the European average of 9.6 kg/t and well above the CENELEC standard of 1.8 kg/t. These nations demonstrate the benefits of integrated systems and advanced recycling practices. By comparison, Italy’s collection rates lag at just 4%, with the study indicating potential for improvement through increased collaboration and regulatory adaptation.
Africa, currently experiencing a rapid growth in e-waste due to rising consumption of electronic goods, stands at a critical juncture in its e-waste management journey. With a younger population driving demand for electronics and limited recycling infrastructure, African countries could draw from the CDCNPA’s findings to develop their own systems for efficiently managing portable batteries within WEEE. In particular, issues faced by Italy—such as unreported batteries in exported used electronics and limited extraction during WEEE processing—mirror similar challenges in Africa, where informal e-waste disposal often leads to significant environmental damage. Implementing structured collection and recycling practices, as suggested in CDCNPA’s report, could help prevent such risks while promoting environmental sustainability.
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CDCNA President Laura Castelli emphasized the importance of unified action, a concept relevant not only to Europe but also to Africa, where collaboration between government bodies, private sector players, and environmental organizations could be essential. “The data shows the need for intensified cooperation across sectors. We must establish a strategic, coordinated plan to meet Europe’s 2030 targets for battery and raw material recovery,” Castelli stated. African stakeholders could similarly adopt a holistic approach, coordinating policies, infrastructure, and education to improve battery collection and management systems.
The environmental hazards posed by unregulated WEEE disposal are particularly significant in Africa, where informal e-waste dumping can lead to severe contamination of water sources and soil. By adopting best practices, African countries can work toward establishing a circular economy that supports environmental safety and resource recovery. For instance, the effective collection of lithium, cobalt, and nickel from batteries can provide a local supply of these critical raw materials, reducing reliance on imports while supporting the growth of local industries, especially in sectors such as renewable energy and electronics manufacturing.
Laura D’Aprile, Head of the Sustainable Development Department at the Italian Ministry of the Environment, noted that “a sustainable WEEE management system must consider the entire lifecycle, from collection to recycling, with an emphasis on critical material recovery.” D’Aprile expressed Italy’s commitment to enhancing the efficiency and innovation of its recycling system, emphasizing the potential of regulatory and financial support for this cause. African governments and agencies could similarly focus on incentives and policy frameworks that foster sustainable recycling solutions, addressing the risks posed by rapid urbanization and technology adoption.
In an African context, efforts to recover and recycle materials from WEEE, especially batteries, hold transformative potential. Not only would this reduce environmental degradation, but it would also create job opportunities within the circular economy and help conserve valuable resources. As CDCNPA’s report illustrates, setting ambitious targets for battery collection and treatment can drive systemic change, and African nations may consider collaborating with international organizations and learning from European models to build robust recycling ecosystems.
The CDCNPA study marks an important contribution to global discussions on e-waste management, offering a roadmap not only for European compliance but also as a potential framework for African countries facing similar environmental and logistical challenges. To learn more about CDCNPA’s initiatives, access the full report on www.cdcnpaitalia.it
