Free reception of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) for consumers

Background

Machines and devices classified as waste electrical and electronic equipment became part of the producer responsibility system on 13 August 2005. It is the responsibility of a producer of electrical and electronic equipment to promote the reuse of discarded electrical and electronic equipment and to organise the collection, pre-processing, utilisation and other waste management of waste electrical and electronic equipment, and to bear the costs arisen from the above.

Elker Oy has organised a waste collection network for WEEE returning from consumers. The basic principle of the reception point network is the creation of an easy and convenient way for consumers to bring WEEE to the reuse and recycling system organised by Elker Oy.

Consumers are to deliver discarded electrical and electronic equipment to supervised reception points intended for the equipment.

N.B. Waste electrical and electronic equipment must not be discarded with ordinary household waste.

Reception of WEEE

Consumers can bring discarded electrical and electronic equipment free of charge to official reception points. As a rule the consumer may return a maximum of three units of the same product at a time. Whole units can be returned.

The maximum batch of lamps, falling within the scope of the directive, that can be returned free of charge to consumer product collection points is 300 lamps. Larger lamp batches are to be brought to lamp reception points for businesses.

Retailers have no statutory obligation to receive electrical and electronic equipment but retailers are to show the closest official collection point to customers. If a retailer accepts a discarded piece of equipment from a customer, no separate fee shall be charged. When picking old electrical and electronic equipment from homes the retailer shall, however, have a right to charge from the consumer the costs arising from the transport.

Checklist to the recycler

• Remove dustbags from vacuum cleaners.
• Remove filament bulbs and fluorescent lamps from lighting fixture.
• Batteries need not be removed from the units.
• Bring all units without packages. Packed fluorescent lamps are subject to charge.
• Ink cartridges need not be removed from printers.
• As a rule the units should be functional. Partly or wholly dismantled equipment is not accepted as WEEE but e.g. as landfill waste or metal waste subject to charge.

Examples of equipment classified as WEEE

Electrical and electronic equipment is equipment requiring electrical power or battery power.

Large household appliances: Large cooling appliances, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dish washing machines, electric stoves, microwaves, electric heating appliances etc.

Small household appliances: Vacuum cleaners, carpet sweepers, other appliances for cleaning, sewing machines, mangles, toasters, fryers, coffee machines, shaving machines, hair dryers, electrical tooth brushes, clocks, scales etc.

IT and telecommunications equipment: Computers, printers, displays, keyboards, mouses, laptops, copiers, electrical typewriters, pocket and desk calculators, faxes, telephones, mobile phones etc.

Consumer equipment: Radio sets, television sets, videocameras, digital cameras, video recorders, sound reproducing equipment, DVD players etc.

Lighting equipment: Luminaires for fluorescent lamps, straight fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, flashlights, ceiling lamps, floor lamps and other equipment for the purpose of spreading or controlling light (NOT filament bulbs, they belong to normal household waste)

Electrical and electronic tools: Drills, saws and other equipment for turning, milling etc., tools for welding, electrical lawn mowers etc.

Toys, leisure and sports equipment: Electric trains or car racing sets, hand-held video game consoles, video games, etc.

Medical devices: Blood pressure gauges and thermometers etc.

Monitoring and control instruments: Fire detectors, thermostats etc.