| The objective of the Waste Electrical and | | | | availability of appropriate technology. E-waste such |
| Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96 | | | | as a computer can be discarded by the original |
| EC is to minimize the environmental impact of | | | | users, but it may still be perfectly functional |
| electronic waste. The WEEE directive protects | | | | equipment. In this case material recovery and |
| landfills and regulates the disposal of discarded or | | | | reuse is a better alternative than recycling. In fact |
| end-of-life electrical or electronic equipment (EEE) | | | | the reuse of waste electrical and electronic |
| also known as e-waste. The related RoHS | | | | equipment is the preferred economic option. |
| Directive 2002/95/EC strives to limit the use of | | | | Recycling is technology and material specific. It is |
| six hazardous materials in the manufacture of | | | | mandatory to collect electronic waste separately |
| electronic equipment. | | | | from municipal waste. While primary administrative |
| The WEEE Directive provides guidelines for the | | | | responsibility lies with the state, manufacturers |
| collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of | | | | have an important role in educating customers on |
| waste electrical and electronic equipment. The | | | | proper waste disposal. The WEEE directive |
| "polluter pays" principle means collection and | | | | mandates collection of electronic waste at the |
| recovery is largely at the manufacturer's expense. | | | | manufacturer's cost. Manufacturers must not only |
| Specified products include such things as large and | | | | ensure that convenient collection points are set up |
| small household appliances, IT and | | | | for consumers but must also make provisions for |
| telecommunications equipment, consumer | | | | the transportation of the waste materials to the |
| equipment, IT and telecommunications equipment. | | | | recycling plant. |
| Reduction of hazardous material content in | | | | The WEEE directive mandates that recycling sites |
| products at the manufacturing stage will reduce | | | | should conform to certain minimum standards to |
| the content of such pollutants in electronic waste. | | | | prevent adverse environmental impact when |
| This will enhance the economic feasibility of | | | | treating waste EEE. In most cases, it will not be |
| recycling. Hence RoHS compliance, which in any | | | | feasible for a single manufacturer to operate its |
| case is needed for doing business in the EU, is the | | | | own recycling center. |
| first important element for any effective | | | | Throughout the WEEE recovery chain, producers |
| recycling. Increased efforts to design products | | | | are required to finance the cost of e-waste |
| that facilitate recycling of WEEE components and | | | | collection from consumers; transportation to the |
| materials are extremely beneficial. | | | | recycling center; treatment; recovery and disposal. |
| Recycling is one of several waste disposal options. | | | | Producers will generally need to collaborate with |
| Its effectiveness depends, to a large extent on | | | | other manufacturers to collectively bear the cost |
| the type of material to be recycled and the | | | | for the recycling and waste disposal obligations. |