Ordinance on WEEE
Under the Ordinance on the Return, the Taking Back and the Disposal of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (ORDEE , pdf, 20 kb), retailers, manufacturers and importers are required to take back, at no charge, appliances of the kind that they normally stock.
Electrical and electronic appliances (e.g. televisions, computers) contain large quantities of recyclable metals such as copper and iron, as well as heavy metals such as lead, zinc and cadmium. The metals found in municipal solid waste stem, to a great extent, from these appliances. However, high levels of heavy metals complicate the operation of municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs), as well as the treatment and recycling of combustion residues. When appliances are incinerated in MSWIs, reusable metals are largely lost, or can only be recovered at great expense.
The separate collection and environmentally sound
disposal of end-of-life electrical and electronic appliances reduces
inputs of heavy metals into unsorted municipal waste. In addition,
during the recycling process, reusable metals such as copper and iron
are recovered. Problematic components (mercury switches, PCB
capacitors, etc.) are dismantled and disposed of separately.
Non-recyclable organic chemical wastes (e.g. mixed plastics) can be
appropriately incinerated.
- consumer electronics
- office, IT and telecommunications equipment
- refrigeration equipment
- household appliances
- tools (except large-scale stationary industrial tools)
- Sport and leisure appliances as well as toys
- Lighting fixtures
- Lamps (without incandescent lamps)