First Release, Environment, Electrical and Electronic Waste

E-waste is a complex mixture of materials and components that can cause major environmental and health problems due to its hazardous content. In order to improve e-waste management and contribute to the circular economy and increase resource efficiency, it is necessary to improve the collection, treatment, and recycling of e-waste.

by Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina

E-Waste
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste) such as computers, televisions, refrigerators, and mobile phones is one of the fastest-growing waste streams in the EU. E-waste is a complex mixture of materials and components that can cause major environmental and health problems due to its hazardous content. In order to improve e-waste management and contribute to the circular economy and increase resource efficiency, it is necessary to improve the collection, treatment, and recycling of e-waste.

Although computers and similar consumer electronics do not appear to be an overly hazardous waste at first glance, they contain a number of materials, including heavy metals, that can lead to serious environmental and health consequences if not properly disposed of and recycled. Health risks caused by hazardous substances in electronic waste are one of the most important reasons for taking care of the quality disposal of such material.

Electronic waste contains between 600 and 1000 different chemical substances that are harmful to health and endanger the environment, of which the most common substances are: lead, mercury, chromium, cadmium, beryllium, PVC, barium.

Data are presented on electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market in accordance with the requirements of Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment (OEEO).

In the period from 2012 to 2022, the amount of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market of Bosnia and Herzegovina increased from 32 thousand tons in 2012 to 47 thousand tons. The noticed decrease for 2020 compared to 2019 is attributed to the negative impact of the COVID 2019 pandemic on the entire economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina during 2020.

Large equipment (EU6) (excluding photovoltaic panels) accounts for 36.4% of the total amount of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market in 2022.

The annual amount of electrical and electronic equipment put on the market per capita is increasing, and in 2022 it is higher by 4.3% compared to 2021.

The total electrical and electronic waste generated is increasing. The total amount of e-waste in 2022 is higher by 2.3% compared to the previous year.

The average annual amount of e-waste per capita is constantly growing, in 2022 it is higher by 5.8% compared to 2021.

Electrical and electronic equipment data within six categories (EU6) shows that Small equipment accounts for more than 9,900 tons or 32.8% and Large equipment (excluding photovoltaic panels) accounts for more than 9,500 tons or 31.5% of total Electrical and electronic waste generated in 2022.

Notes on Methodology

Objective
Collect reliable data on e-waste that will serve as a basis for decision-making and environmentally friendly management of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment.

Legal Framework
In 2012, the European Commission published Directive 2012/19 / EU of the European Parliament and of the Council ("WEEE2") on waste electrical and electronic equipment ("EEE"). As of 2018, all EEE is classified into 6 categories listed in Annex III WEEE2

Methodology for calculating estimates of the mass of POM placed on the market
For international and regional comparability, common methodologies and a tool for calculating the mass of electrical and electronic equipment (POM) placed on the market and waste electrical and electronic equipment were used (MANUAL for the use of the WEEE calculation tool, 2017).

Classification of EEE within the six categories (EU-6) listed in Annex III of the WEEE Directive 2012/19 / EU:
1. Equipment for temperature change
2. Screens, monitors and equipment containing screens (..)
3. Lamps
4. Large equipment
5. Small equipment
6. Small IT and telecommunications equipment

➢ Tool for calculating E-waste quantities

The WEEE calculation tool is used to input POM data coming from statistical data in order to calculate the relevant quantities of POM placed on the market by specific POM categories in Annexes I and III of Directive 2012/19/EU, and to calculate waste electrical and electronic equipment.
Argued estimates of the mass of POM placed on the market of the member state in the reference year are calculated using the visible consumption method, which is based on the equation: POM placed on the market (t) = domestic production (t) + import (t) – export (t)
where:
domestic production (t) = mass (in tons) of completed POM produced in the reference year t in the country; import (t) = mass (in tons) of POM imported into the country in the reference year t from another country for distribution, consumption or use;export (t) = mass (in tons) of POM exported from a country in reference year t to another country for distribution, consumption or use.
The methodology for calculating the total amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment produced in a given year on the territory of the country is based on:

• the amount of POM placed on the market in previous
years and beyond
• the appropriate life of the product

The tool allows updating POM data placed on the market for previous years and/or lifetime data based on relevant data and evidence to support such updates.

Sarajevo, 11.11.2024.

Published by the Agency for Statistics of the Bosnia and Herzegovina, 71000 Sarajevo, Zelenih beretki 26
Responsible persons:
Sevala Korajcevic, Head of Environment, Energy and Regional Statistics Department
Vesna Ćužić, General Director

Prepared by: Dragan Jovović

1 Data from the Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the population in Bosnia and Herzegovina ( Census 2013 and estimates of number population
2014-2022)
2 Data from the Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina on the population in Bosnia and Herzegovina ( Census 2013 and estimates of number population
2014-2022)3 Data from the Agency for

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published: Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 3|2025
Keywords: Pollution Control, Sustainability, Climate, WEEE - Batteries, Resource management, Methods, Analyses, Data, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ševala Korajčević
Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina