Project CETAP — European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR)

Every year, households and businesses across Bosnia and Herzegovina quietly accumulate a growing mountain of old phones, broken chargers, forgotten laptops, unused cables, damaged hairdryers, and discarded televisions. We rarely think of these items once they stop working—but within this overlooked waste stream lies something far more valuable than most people imagine.

Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) also known as electronic waste or e-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally, and also one of the most resource-rich. Inside even a small mobile phone, you will find tiny but valuable quantities of rare earth elements such as gold, silver, palladium, copper, lithium. These materials are essential for technology, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and many sectors that underpin a modern economy.

Yet in Bosnia and Herzegovina—like in many parts of Europe—a significant portion of WEEE never reaches official collection points. Instead, it sits in drawers, is thrown into mixed waste bins, or is handled informally, leading to environmental harm and lost economic potential.

As part of the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR), Project CETAP is shining a spotlight on the hidden value in our electronic waste, and how we can unlock it through better habits, stronger systems, and a shift towards a circular economy.

Why is WEEE so important for a circular economy?

Moving from a linear “take–make–dispose” model to a circular system means keeping materials in use for as long as possible. WEEE is one of the clearest examples of why this shift matters.

1. Valuable materials are being thrown away

Many electronic devices contain precious metals with surprisingly high market value. For example:

• 1 tonne of used mobile phones contains significantly more gold than 1 tonne of gold ore. 1 ton of ore gets 1g of gold. But you can get the same amount of gold from recycling just 41 mobile phones.
• Recycling aluminium uses 95% less energy than producing new aluminium.
• Copper, lithium, and rare earth elements are essential for green technologies—yet most remain unrecovered.

When WEEE is lost to landfill, these materials must be mined again, contributing to environmental damage, resource depletion, and carbon emissions.

2. Improper disposal harms human health and the environment

Electronics contain hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, flame retardants, and chemicals that—when not handled properly—can contaminate soil, water, and air. Informal burning or dismantling poses serious risks to communities.

3. Recovering materials creates economic opportunities

A well-functioning WEEE collection and recycling system:

• Creates skilled green jobs
• Reduces the need for imported raw materials
• Supports domestic recycling industries
• Helps municipalities comply with EU Waste Package requirements

For Bosnia and Herzegovina, this is not just an environmental issue—it is an economic opportunity.

EWWR: Small actions, big impact

The European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) encourages individuals, schools, companies, and institutions across Europe to reduce waste, reuse materials, and improve recycling behaviours. This year’s theme highlights the importance of giving products a new life and preventing valuable resources from being lost.

Project CETAP is contributing to EWWR by raising awareness of the hidden value in WEEE and encouraging citizens to adopt simple, practical habits.

Five actions you can take today

Small steps that help Bosnia and Herzegovina build a circular future.

1. Empty your “tech drawer”

We all have one—a drawer full of old phones, USB sticks, remote controls, chargers, or random cables. Clearing it out is the easiest way to start.

2. Bring unusable electronics to official collection points

Never place WEEE in the household bin. Approved collection points ensure safe handling and proper recycling. ZEOS is a non-profit in BiH which has collection points all across the country for WEEE, you can find a map of all their recycling points here: https://www.zeos.ba/en/43/pages/21/map-with-containers

3. Donate functional devices

Old but working laptops, tablets, and phones can be refurbished and reused by schools, charities, and low-income families.

4. Repair instead of replace

Many devices can be fixed cheaply. Repairing extends their life, reduces waste, and supports local repair businesses.

5. Choose greener electronics

Look for devices that use recycled materials, have replaceable components, or come with long warranties.

How Project CETAP supports the transition

As Bosnia and Herzegovina works towards EU alignment and a modern circular economy WEEE is a key focus area within Project CETAP. Our work includes:

• Analysing the potential for improved management of special waste streams, including WEEE
• Supporting harmonisation with the EU Waste Package
• Raising national awareness on correct waste handling and circular behaviours
• Engaging municipalities, schools, private sector partners, and citizens
• Delivering a nationwide public awareness campaign launching January 2026

By strengthening systems and educating the public, CETAP helps turn what is currently a waste challenge into an opportunity for sustainable growth.

There is gold in your waste—let’s not throw it away

WEEE is often seen as a burden, but in reality it is one of our most valuable secondary resources. Every old phone, broken toaster, or unused cable contains materials that can be recovered and transformed into something new.

During EWWR, and throughout the months ahead, Project CETAP invites everyone in Bosnia and Herzegovina to take action. Together, we can reduce environmental impact, support a more resource-efficient economy, and unlock the hidden value in the devices we no longer use.

Let’s adopt new habits. Let’s use waste.
A circular future starts with the choices we make today.