Recycling center in Nihtisillan showcases muscle recovery device amid rising e-waste in Finland

In a recycling center in Nihtisillan, an electric technician named Reza Mohammadi demonstrates a muscle recovery device—once a popular Christmas gift. “First, we always test the device to see if it works, and only then we clean it for sale. If the cleaned device doesn’t function, the time is wasted,” he explains.

Over the past few years, more than 10 million kilograms of electronic devices have been delivered to recycling centers in the Helsinki metropolitan area each year. Last year, a total of 79,000 electrical and electronic devices were refurbished for sale that would have otherwise ended up as waste. Mohammadi’s workspace contains a toaster, blender, humidifier, and a travel steamer, all awaiting pricing.

Kimmo Kari, a technical expert at the recycling center, notes that many brand new items in original packaging also end up in the recycling stream. Occasionally, staff interrupt sorting to figure out the purpose of donations. “We now receive really exotic devices that people are excited to order from Alibaba and Temu,” he says, citing examples like cotton candy machines.

The sales of small household appliances are on the rise, with notable increases in air fryers, carbonating devices, and dental care equipment. “Although sales are growing, the average price of products has decreased,” claims Taina Luukkainen, CEO of the electronics and home appliance association, Etko.

Consumers are becoming more impulsive, treating purchases of small appliances like fast fashion, routinely buying on a whim. Despite expectations of a lifespan of 7-8 years for budget-friendly appliances, many still end up circulating quickly, raising concerns about resource waste. For some, these items may find new homes at recycling centers, like the unworn pink chocolate fondue machine still in its packaging.