Europe is facing a significant e-waste challenge, with researchers developing reusable and environmentally friendly electronics to address the growing problem. The rise in the consumption of electronics, from smartphones to medical devices, has led to an alarming increase in discarded hardware.
According to Eurostat, approximately 5 million tonnes of electronic waste are recycled in the EU each year. This staggering figure translates to over 11 kilograms per household, enough to cover around 2,000 football pitches stacked a metre high. Despite these efforts, this amount represents less than 40 per cent of the total mass of electronics released into the European market annually, with the remainder often ending up in landfills due to the complexities of recycling mixed materials.
To combat this issue, the EU-funded SUSTRONICS initiative is reimagining the production of electronics, focusing on sustainable materials and innovative designs that facilitate reuse and recycling. Led by Dutch technology company Philips, this ambitious project brings together 46 partners from 11 countries and is set to run until May 2026, supported by the Chips Joint Undertaking.
“The SUSTRONICS researchers focus mainly on fundamental research into new solutions,” said Ramon Caanen, who leads a sustainability consulting team at Philips. Their work encompasses the use of bio-based and paper-based materials that are more readily available, alongside sustainable manufacturing practices for electronic components.
The goal is to embed sustainability into every aspect of design, production, and functionality, ensuring products can be reused and recycled more efficiently. This objective has become increasingly urgent since the EU introduced new regulations on eco-design and the right to repair in 2024, aimed at extending product lifespans and reducing environmental impact.
One of SUSTRONICS’s primary testing grounds is the healthcare sector, where the reliance on single-use medical devices exacerbates the e-waste crisis. Three pilot studies are currently exploring sustainable electronics for healthcare applications. At Essity Hygiene and Health, a Swedish hygiene company, principal scientist Shabira Abbas is developing a smart incontinence pad designed to enhance patient care and staff efficiency. This innovative device features a change indicator that alerts staff when a pad needs replacing, thus reducing unnecessary waste.
The pad includes a removable electronic strip that measures temperature and humidity, which can be recycled where facilities allow. Notably, the small clip-on reader that transmits data to staff is reusable, ensuring less waste is generated in the process. “It is designed to improve both skin health and dignity,” explained Abbas, who is also focused on adapting the device’s software to minimise energy consumption, critical for devices that must operate continuously.
In addition to the smart pad, the SUSTRONICS initiative is working on other pilot devices, including a skin patch for glucose monitoring and a smart dressing for wounds, both of which are traditionally single-use. The challenge remains to enhance sustainability while maintaining functionality.
The researchers are also examining ways to replace scarce materials, such as silver, with more abundant alternatives like copper or carbon, which can significantly lower the environmental impact of electronic components. “Silver has a high upstream footprint,” Caanen noted. “But the key challenge is to make these substitutes perform well in their intended electronics application.”
Beyond healthcare, the SUSTRONICS initiative is exploring solutions for consumer electronics, including improvements in repairability for shavers and lighting. These efforts align with broader EU ambitions, including a new Circular Economy Act expected in 2026, which aims to bolster the market for recycled materials and significantly increase the percentage of materials reused or recycled across Europe.
Currently, only about 12 per cent of materials in Europe are reused or recycled, but the EU aims to double this figure to 24 per cent by 2030 under the Clean Industrial Deal. Caanen hopes that SUSTRONICS will set an example of how the electronics industry can thrive on sustainable materials while remaining competitive.
Innovations like the smart incontinence pad have the potential to improve comfort and quality of care for hospital patients while contributing to a more sustainable economy. By merging practical healthcare solutions with ambitious environmental goals, the SUSTRONICS team exemplifies the transformative power of technological innovation in enhancing everyday lives and supporting Europe’s sustainability objectives.
