A roundtable discussion (recorded in written form) with:
\nAlexander Goldberg • stiftung ear
\n\n![\"Portrait](\"https://gfu.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/pressemitteilung-2026-portrait-alexander-goldberg-1024x1024.webp\")
Dr. Lennart Osthoff • Repartly
\n\n![\"Portrait](\"https://gfu.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/pressemitteilung-2026-portrait-lennart-osthoff-1024x1024.webp\")
Carine Chardon • GFU
\n\n![\"Portrait](\"https://gfu.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/pressemitteilung-2026-portrait-carine-chardon-1024x1024.webp\")
Alexander Goldberg:
\nI would not say that Germany has an e-waste problem. Waste electrical and electronic equipment is the fastest-growing waste stream worldwide. Old electrical devices are classified as hazardous waste and must be collected separately. In Germany, citizens can return their old devices to municipalities and retailers free of charge. Nevertheless, many devices are still not disposed of, or not disposed of properly, which means we lose important resources. For example, many old electrical devices are kept at home, such as smartphones in drawers; small devices are disposed of in household waste or handed over to mobile collectors at the front door. As a result, the raw materials contained in the old devices cannot be recycled and are therefore not available to the circular economy, for example in the production of new devices.
stiftung ear was entrusted by the German Environment Agency in 2005 with sovereign enforcement tasks under the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) and, in 2021, under battery law. Registering manufacturers is one of stiftung ear’s key tasks. In the area of the ElektroG, stiftung ear also coordinates the collection, proper treatment and disposal of all waste electrical equipment collected by municipalities by the manufacturers obligated in each case and their disposal service providers. When collecting the old devices, the manufacturers’ service providers also make empty collection containers available to the municipalities again. A major advantage of this collection coordination by stiftung ear is that all old devices collected by municipalities are always picked up, so nothing is left behind.
\nDr. Lennart Osthoff:
\nToo time-consuming, too few skilled workers in service workshops, and spare parts that are too expensive: these are the reasons why household appliances with defective electronics have not been repaired up to now. At Repartly, we are pursuing an approach that eliminates precisely these problems. Our automated repair line, with collaborative robots trained by us, enables fast, cost-effective repairs. At the same time, with our refurbished electronics, we are bringing professional refurbishment to the industry for the first time and thus offering an attractively priced alternative to original spare parts. Repairing has to pay off for it to become the standard – that is the decisive lever.
Carine Chardon:
\nA major challenge also remains consumers’ knowledge of whether and how, or by whom, electrical devices can be repaired in the event of a defect, and when it is actually still worthwhile. It therefore makes sense to ensure more active information and greater transparency. This applies not only to the topic of repair, but also to the proper disposal of old devices. We see that e-waste alone is not the problem, but rather how it is handled. It is important to me not to discuss the topic of repair in isolation; in the end, everything is interconnected. With proper disposal, the waste and recycling industry is able to recover valuable raw materials and return them to the cycle. This too is a building block of sustainability in the consumer society. Awareness of each individual’s contribution to this in the consumer society is increasing, but not yet to a sufficient extent.
Dr. Lennart Osthoff:
\nNeither specialist retailers nor manufacturers are prepared for the circular economy. As a pioneer of scalable, sustainable repair solutions, Repartly c"
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"answer": "E-waste includes old electrical and electronic equipment. It is classified as hazardous waste because it can contain harmful substances and valuable raw materials that should be recovered through proper recycling.",
"question": "What is e-waste and why must it be collected separately?"
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"answer": "Germany has established free return systems through municipalities and retailers, but many old devices are still stored at home or disposed of incorrectly, causing valuable resources to be lost.",
"question": "Does Germany have an e-waste problem?"
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"answer": "Consumers can return old electrical devices free of charge to municipal recycling centers and many retailers. These collection points help ensure proper treatment and recycling.",
"question": "Where can consumers return old electrical devices in Germany?"
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"answer": "Repairing devices extends their useful life, reduces waste and can conserve resources. It becomes especially effective when repairs are affordable, fast and supported by accessible spare parts.",
"question": "Why is repairing electrical devices important?"
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"answer": "Not always. Repair is generally preferable when a device remains efficient and the repair is economically viable. For very old, inefficient devices, replacement and proper recycling may be more sustainable.",
"question": "Are repairs always the most sustainable option?"
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"answer": "Collected devices are sorted at certified treatment facilities, hazardous components are removed, reusable parts may be identified, and materials such as metals and plastics are separated for recycling.",
"question": "What happens to devices collected at recycling centers?"
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"answer": "Refurbishment keeps devices or components in use for longer and can reduce demand for new resources. When devices are no longer usable, proper recycling returns materials to the economic cycle.",
"question": "How does refurbishment support the circular economy?"
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