Europe’s e-waste future took centre stage in Dublin

24.09.2026

European policymakers and industry leaders gathered in Dublin on September 17 for a major two-day conference examining how discarded electrical and electronic products can play a bigger role in Europe’s circular economy, industrial competitiveness and security of raw material supply.

The WEEE Forum International Conference 2026, “From Challenge to Change – Extended Producer Responsibility for a New Policy Era”, took place at Clontarf Castle and was an Associated Event of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Co-hosted by WEEE Ireland and the WEEE Forum, it brought together representatives of the European Commission, national government, electrical manufacturers and producers, retailers and recyclers at a significant point for European circular economy policy.

From the left: Jan Vlak, President of the WEEE Forum and Managing Director of Stichting OPEN; Pascal Leroy, Director General, WEEE Forum; Elizabeth O’Reilly, Director of Environmental Compliance & Circular Economy, WEEE Ireland; Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, Director for Competitive Circular Economy and Clean Industrial Policy, European Commission; at the opening of the WEEE Forum International Conference 2026 at Clontarf Castle, Dublin
© Conor McCabe Photography

Among the speakers was Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, Director for Competitive Circular Economy and Clean Industrial Policy at the European Commission, who examined how the forthcoming EU Circular Economy Act can strengthen European competitiveness and resilience and improve recovery of critical raw materials.

Other discussions across the two days included repair and reuse, the new Circular Economy Act, producer registration and reporting, fast tech and consumer behaviour and the future development of Extended Producer Responsibility.

“Holding this discussion in Dublin during Ireland’s EU Presidency gives us an important opportunity to bring practical Irish experience into a much wider European conversation about the future of electronics and the materials they contain,” said Elizabeth O’Reilly, Director of Environmental Compliance & Circular Economy at WEEE Ireland. “Electrical products contain components and materials that Europe needs but we are still heavily dependent on imported primary raw materials for many technologies. Keeping products in use for longer through repair and reuse, improving legitimate collection and recovering more materials at end of life can support both circular economy goals and greater resource resilience.”

The Dublin conference came ahead of International E-Waste Day on 14 October, the WEEE Forum's annual global awareness campaign, now in its ninth year. The 2026 edition turns its focus to "Fast Tech": the small and inexpensive electronics such as earphones, charging cables and single-use vapes that are rarely recognised as e-waste but form a rapidly growing waste stream. Organisations across Europe and beyond are invited to take part; details on how to get involved are available at