The National E-waste Monitor 2025 – Norway provides a detailed assessment of the current situation of e-waste statistics and legislation, and an outlook on e-waste statistics up to 2050.
Norway is the world’s leading nation in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) generation per capita, producing 27.5 kg per person in 2022, equivalent to 149 kt.
However, the country has established an efficient collection system, successfully gathering 72% of generated e-waste, with 107 kt tons collected in 2022 (approximately 19.5 kg per capita).
The country’s WEEE stock has seen significant growth over the past decade, expanding from 14 million tons in 2010 to nearly 20 million tons in 2022. However, based on the monitor’s results, the implementation of robust Circular Economy measures could help EEE Put on the Market in Norway reaching, by 2050, half of the to 2010 levels (67 kt). The big drop is explained by more repairability and improved durability of EEE products; by contrast, the projection in a Business as Usual scenario would be 5 times higher (294 kt) than in the Circular Economy scenario.
In terms of international trade, Norway reported 20 kt of used EEE exports for reuse, primarily within the European Union. Legal WEEE exports saw an increase from 27 kt in 2022 to 38 kt in 2023. Authorities intercepted 15.5 t of illegal exports due to inadequate documentation and functionality testing.
To address all these challenges, Norwegian authorities are implementing a comprehensive strategy focusing on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). This approach encourages manufacturers to prioritize sustainable product design, emphasizing repairability, modularity, and recyclability. The government is also considering support measures for repair and refurbishment industries through targeted subsidies and tax incentives.
The country’s ambitious plans include investments in advanced recycling technologies for rare earth metals and precious materials recovery, improved small electronics collection systems, and stricter labeling requirements for recyclable components and hazardous substances. Public institutions are being directed to prioritize eco-friendly electronic products in their procurement processes.
While Norway’s e-waste management system is already considered exemplary, the monitor’s results emphasize the need for more ambitious targets aligned with the WEEE Directive to create a truly sustainable and circular electronics management system. The focus is now shifting toward public awareness campaigns to encourage repair over replacement and the development of more efficient collection methods for small electronic devices.
You can download the report on ewastemonitor.info
