As a pilot project, OÜ Eesti Elektroonikaromu, in cooperation with the Ülemiste Centre, launched Estonia’s first stationary electronic waste collection station located directly inside a shopping centre. This new solution allows people, during their regular shopping trips, to conveniently dispose of small electronic waste such as broken chargers, phones, old kitchen appliances, or electric toys. Batteries, e-cigarettes, and light bulbs can also be brought here.
“In Estonia, only about a quarter of the planned amount of small electronics is collected, while the European Union’s target is 65%. In 2023, only 26.2% was collected, while, according to estimates, more than 2,800 tons of electronic waste ended up in household trash. This means that valuable materials contained in electronic devices are not being reused,” said Kaur Kuurme, Member of the Management Board of OÜ Eesti Elektroonikaromu.
Very often, old batteries, laptops, mobile phones, toys, and small kitchen appliances are simply left lying in cupboards and drawers. It is estimated that in every household there are 4–5 kg of unused devices. “Small electronic waste should be returned into circulation as quickly as possible, because if kept in drawers for years, it will never make its way to recycling,” emphasized Kaur Kuurme, urging people to tidy up their homes and bring old devices to the collection station.
According to Tiia Nõmm, Head of Marketing and Corporate Responsibility at the Ülemiste Centre, the establishment of a unified collection station is a clearer and more understandable solution for both tenants and visitors. “The obligation to accept small electronics lies with the sellers, but often the solutions for collection differ from store to store. A single central collection point makes the process more convenient for everyone – customers no longer need to approach different shops but can instead easily hand over all small electronics in one place,” Nõmm explained.
She added that within the pilot project, it is also intended to determine how the new collection system will be received by the centre’s shops and visitors, what the collection volumes will be, and whether the container design and the solution are suitable for long-term service or require adjustments.
The electronic waste collection station is located on the 1st floor of the Ülemiste Centre’s parking house, near the entrance from Suur-Sõjamäe Street. Devices up to 25 centimetres in size can be handed in free of charge. Larger and smaller electronic devices are also accepted free of charge at major waste collection stations throughout Estonia, but people must make a separate trip there.
The Ülemiste Centre collection station represents the first step in making the disposal of electronic waste a daily habit. “Our goal, in cooperation with shopping centre operators, is to install collection stations in every major shopping centre across Estonia. This way, collecting electronic waste becomes a natural part of everyday shopping, not a separate burdensome activity. The aim is to increase collection activity and keep valuable resources in circulation,” added Kuurme.
According to Piret Otsason, Head of Producer Responsibility and Hazardous Waste at the Ministry of Climate, an easily visible and convenient solution motivates people to dispose of waste properly, raises awareness, and helps improve recycling. “It is very encouraging that the first collection station for electronic waste located in a busy area and equipped with clear instructions has been installed at the Ülemiste Centre, making it easy to return old devices. I hope that in the future, more and more responsible shopping centres will follow Ülemiste’s example and cooperate with producer organizations to ensure that more electronic waste is recycled and our environment becomes cleaner,” Otsason added.
Consumer surveys show that many devices remain at home because people simply do not know where to take them. When collection points are visible and easy to find, the amount of collected waste increases significantly. This is a solution that benefits everyone – consumers, producers, and the environment.
