NEWS: National E-Waste Study Highlights Challenges and Opportunities in Montenegro

As part of the CIRCLEWASTE project, a national e-waste market assessment was carried out across Montenegro to get a clearer picture of how we’re managing electronic waste, and where the system is falling short. The study, which covered over 20 municipalities and engaged stakeholders from government, industry, and civil society, paints a sobering picture. But it also reveals promising pathways forward.

We’re Collecting Just 3%—And Losing the Rest

Let’s start with the hard truth: only 3% of e-waste in Montenegro is formally collected. The vast majority either sits forgotten in households, ends up in mixed municipal waste, or travels through informal and often unregulated channels. This fragmented flow doesn’t just undermine our chances of recycling or reuse, it’s actively damaging the environment and causing us to lose valuable raw materials that could be reintegrated into the economy.

Infrastructure Is Barely There—And Enforcement Is Weaker

What’s driving this inefficiency? A lack of even basic infrastructure is a major factor. Most municipalities don’t have dedicated e-waste containers or collection points. Tracking is still done manually, when it’s done at all, and there’s no centralized digital system to monitor where e-waste is coming from or where it ends up. Inspections, for the most part, are infrequent and superficial. Without real enforcement, even well-intentioned policies remain powerless.

EPR: Defined in Law, Missing in Action

Montenegro technically has Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) written into its legal framework, but in practice, it’s nonexistent. Producers and importers of electronics are not held accountable for financing collection or treatment. That responsibility has instead defaulted to underfunded municipalities that are ill-equipped to manage it. The result? A system that’s misaligned, underfunded, and structurally unfair.

There Are Bright Spots, and We Need More of Them

Despite the challenges, some actors are stepping up. Companies like Deponija Podgorica and Hemosan Bar, along with telecom providers One and Crnogorski Telekom, have been proactive in organizing e-waste collection drives, raising public awareness, and even investing in basic infrastructure. Their work proves that progress is possible when there’s systemic support.

Where Do We Go From Here?

The study outlines several concrete steps to move Montenegro toward a more efficient and circular e-waste system:

  • Establish regional e-waste centers to streamline collection and treatment.

  • Launch a national digital tracking platform to monitor e-waste flows and increase transparency.

  • Activate EPR in practice, ensuring producers finance and participate in system development.

  • Run national-level awareness campaigns to change public behavior around disposal.

  • Formally integrate the informal sector, providing training and certification to improve safety, efficiency, and compliance.

This September, the study’s findings will be presented to local e-waste working groups, aiming to spark action at both municipal and national levels.