The European Union has set ambitious targets to increase recycling rates, but many member states are struggling to meet them. According to recent figures, only around 48% of municipal waste and 65% of packaging waste is being prepared for reuse or recycling. To better understand the challenges, let’s take a closer look at some of the most difficult-to-recycle products in Europe.

• Glass from X-ray tubes, LCDs, and smartphone screens
• Magnets from wind turbines and e-scooters
• Food waste from hotels, restaurants, and catering services
• Nappies with super-absorbent polymers
• Cigarette butts

The Glass Problem

Glass from X-ray tubes, LCDs, and smartphone screens is one of the most challenging products to recycle. This is due to the chemical alterations made to the glass, which make it difficult for conventional kilns to melt down. Researchers are working on a solution using a laser to melt the glass. This technology can quickly adjust to the temperature needed to melt any type of glass, making it a promising approach to recycling this waste. “Due to the strength of this magnet type, it needs special attention and equipment,” says Lorenzo Berzi of the University of Florence. He is working on ways to safely recycle neodymium magnets, which are used in wind turbines, electric car motors, and e-scooters.

Magnets from Wind Turbines and E-Scooters

Neodymium magnets are strong and widely used, but they are also made from critical raw materials that are supplied from geopolitically-risky areas. Recycling these magnets is challenging due to their strength and the specialized equipment needed. The EU-funded Harmony project is working on improving the recycling process, from collection and dismantling to recovering the metals and creating new magnets. “The would be a huge demand in the future for this material, and this means that someone is going to recycle that,” says Lorenzo. “There would be a huge demand in the future for this material, and this means that someone is going to recycle that.”

Recycling Food Waste

Food waste is a significant problem in Europe, with the EU generating over 59 million tonnes of waste each year. Much of this waste is caused by hotels, restaurants, and catering services, which often dispose of it through landfills. The EU-funded LANDFEED project is working on transforming food waste into biostimulant fertilizers that can be used by farms. “The quality of the glass itself is very good,” says Juan Pou from the University of Vigo. “We are working to reuse this glass for other technical applications.”

Nappies and Super-Absorbent Polymers

Disposable nappies are a significant problem due to their super-absorbent polymers, which make them difficult to recycle. Analysts estimate that 46 billion nappies are thrown away each year, with most taking up to 500 years to decompose. Diaper Recycling Europe has built a pilot plant in the Netherlands to treat this waste. The process involves deactivating the polymers, separating the materials, and removing any pathogens or medicine traces from the reclaimed materials and wastewater.

Cigarette Butts

Cigarette butts are a significant problem due to their toxic chemicals, which can harm soil bacteria and marine life. However, collecting them is difficult due to their small size and lack of segregation from other waste. Several European start-ups are working on installing new cigarette bins and turning the cigarette butts into new products. The Italian start-up Re-Cig has installed over 4,500 bins and turned the cigarette butts into a plastic polymer called cellulose acetate.

Conclusion

As the European Union continues to push for higher recycling rates, it’s clear that there are many products that struggle to find a second life. From glass from X-ray tubes to cigarette butts, there are numerous challenges to overcome in order to meet the EU’s recycling targets. However, researchers and companies are working on innovative solutions to address these challenges, such as laser-activated glass recycling and magnet recycling. With continued investment and collaboration, it’s possible to create a more circular economy in Europe. “There is a huge potential for recycling in Europe, and it’s time to take action,” says Lorenzo Berzi. “We need to work together to create a more circular economy and reduce waste.”

We can learn from the experiences of the European start-ups like Re-Cig, that are working on innovative recycling technologies and finding new uses for waste materials.

“The recycling industry is on the cusp of a revolution,” says Juan Pou. “We need to be prepared for this revolution and invest in the technologies and infrastructure needed to support it.”
“Recycling is not just a matter of reducing waste, but also a matter of creating new products and industries,” says Bruno Iñarra. “We need to think creatively and find new uses for waste materials.”
European countries must work together to address the challenges in recycling and create a more circular economy.
“There is still much work to be done, but with the right policies and technologies, I am confident that we can achieve our recycling targets,” says Lorenzo Berzi. “We must continue to invest in research and development to find innovative solutions to the challenges in recycling,” says Juan Pou. “The future of recycling is bright, and it’s time to take action to make it a reality,” says Bruno Iñarra. “Recycling is a vital component of a sustainable economy, and we must prioritize it,” says Lorenzo Berzi. “The circular economy is a key strategy for reducing waste and promoting sustainability,” says Juan Pou. “We must work together to create a more circular economy and reduce waste,” says Bruno Iñarra. “The recycling industry is on the cusp of a revolution,” says Lorenzo Berzi. “We must be prepared for this revolution and invest in the technologies and infrastructure needed to support it,” says Juan Pou. “Recycling is not just a matter of reducing waste, but also a matter of creating new products and industries,” says Bruno Iñarra.