In Germany, millions of unused electrical appliances are stored in drawers, basements and offices: old mobile phones, cables, razors and printers. Yet all of these devices contain valuable raw materials that are indispensable for modern technologies. Nevertheless, they are rarely disposed of properly.

Although it is usually possible to return old electrical appliances to retailers free of charge and regardless of where they were originally purchased, only a small proportion of consumers take advantage of this offer. Instead, many appliances mistakenly end up in household waste, with dangerous consequences for the environment and health.

The fact that valuable metals are lost through improper disposal is particularly problematic. Electrical appliances, for example, contain germanium and gallium - raw materials that are increasingly difficult for Germany to source on the global market. Through consistent and professional recycling, these materials could be recovered and reused in future technologies, for example in the semiconductor or photovoltaic industry.

A higher return rate of electronic waste would therefore not only be an important contribution to environmental protection, but also of strategic importance for Germany's raw material security.

Accompanying this topic, the video "Dispose of electronic waste correctly - campaign week: Every plug counts" from MDR shows how the recovery of valuable materials works and what opportunities recycling offers. Special thanks to Dany Striese.

Listen to what Prof Lieberwirth has to say in the video!