waste electrical and electronic equipment (weee). weee management
TRANSCRIPT
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
WEEE Management System in Poland and other European countries - aspects
of functi oning, selected waste electrical and electronic equipment processing technologies
monograph prepared within the framework of a project enti tled.:
“Polish-Norwegian Partnership for Knowledge Transfer in the fi eld of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management in Poland, with special emphasis
on Mazowieckie and Śląskie voivodships
fi nanced with the Norwegian Financial Mechanism
Warsaw, 2011
Institute of Mechanized Construction and Rock Mining
Cooperation:
Sintef Stiftelsen
Authors:
dr inż. Ireneusz Baic (Editor in Chief)mgr Agnieszka Banrowskamgr Katarzyna Biel (Technical Editor)mgr Marek Gajewskiinż. Janusz Oleszczakmgr Magdalena Pańkowskamgr Elżbieta Uzunow
ISBN 978-83-86040-17-9
Publisher:
Institute of Mechanized Construction and Rock MiningRacjonalizacji 6/8 Str., 02-673 Warsaw, www.imbigs.org.pl
Translation from Polish: Nowkom, Wilcza 44/5 Str., 00-678 Warszawa
Cover design, typesetting and printing:
Printing Houes – Madoń Media, Seat: 10/11. Gałczyńskiego Str, 08-300 Sokołów PodlaskiPrinting House: 1 Leśna Str, 05-092 Łomianki, tel.: +48 22 357 04 05e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
CONTENTSINTRODUCTION 51. SOURCES OF LAW 72. EU LEGISLATION 83. NATIONAL LEGISLATION 124. ENTITIES RESPONSIBLE FOR FULFILLING THE OBLIGATIONS ARISING FROM THE WEEE ACT 15 4.1. Responsibilities of undertakings 18 4.2. Responsibilities of consumers, manufacturers, importers 18 4.3. Responsibilities of those who introduce, collect, process, recycle, and are engaged in other recovery processes 20 5. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE RECORDING OF COLLECTED WEEE 24 5.1. WEEE collection levels 27 5.2. Recovered and recycled waste equipment 29 5.3. Quantitative balance of WEEE production 31 5.3.1. Large-sized equipment 31 5.3.2. Small-sized equipment 32 5.3.3. Computer hardware 32 5.3.4. Audiovisual equipment 33 5.3.5. Lighting equipment 34 5.3.6. Overall balance of waste during 2008-2018 35 6. WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT COLLECTION LEVELS, WEEE RECOVERY AND RECYCLING LEVELS FOR THE SPECIFIC GROUPS 377. REGISTER OF WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT RECOVERY OPERATORS AND ORGANIZATIONS 40 7.1. Electrical and electronic equipment recovery organizations 418. WEEE COLLECTION REPORTING 429. FINANCIAL LIABILITY 4310. EDUCATION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT 4511. WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT COLLECTION SYSTEMS 45 11.1. Austria 47 11.2. Denmark 50 11.3. France 51 11.4. Netherlands 52 11.5. Germany 53 11.6. Switzerland 53 11.7. Sweden 55 11.8. Poland 5612. WEEE MANAGEMENT IN NORWAY 60 12.1. Norwegian institutions engaged in waste management process 60 12.2. General description of WEEE management in Norway 61 12.3. WEEE collection in Norway 62 12.4. WEEE processing in Norway 63 12.5. Systematic WEEE collection solutions and WEEE register in Norway 63 12.6. Duties of Norwegian system participants 64
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12.7. Main operators on the Norwegian market 6813. EFFECTIVNES OF WEEE MANAGEMENT IN POLAND 7114. WEEE PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES 76 14.1. „KÜHLTEG” system of environmentally sound disposal of waste cooling equipment (refrigerators and freezers) 77 14.2. Cooling equipment disposal installation 78 14.3. A system for disposal of waste containing mercury compounds from used mercury lamps, glow tubes and popular mercury batteries, with EKOTROM-2 device 79 14.4. Used fluorescent lamp redistribution ecosystem 80 14.5. Waste electrical and electronic equipment disposal 81 14.6. Cathode ray tube disposal technology and line 82 14.7. Neutralization of fluorescent lamps and other mercury-containing waste („wet” method) 83 14.8. Treatment systems for glass produced from waste electrical and electronic equipment through implosion 84 14.9. Recycling of monitors 85 14.10. Recycling of light bulbs with their own automatic oxidation process 85 14.11. Recovery of metals from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) through leaching and electrolysis 86 14.12. Disassembling mobile telephones with the use of an induction heater 8715. REFERENCES 89
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INTRODUCTION
The rules of proceeding with waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) to ensure protection of human health and life, and to protect the environment in accordance with sustainable development principles, are defined by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act of 29 July 2005 (Journal of Laws of 2005, No. 180, item 1495), hereinafter referred to as the WEEE Act, with secondary legislation. New regulations, arising from amendment of the aforementioned Act, have been in force since 1 January 2009. The amended Act of 21 November 2008 on Amending the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act and Amendment of Certain Other Acts of Law (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 223, item 1464), hereinafter referred to as the amended WEEE Act, is the primary Act of law that defines the duties of entities placing electrical and electronic equipment on the market in the territory of Poland, as well as operators in the field of waste electrical and electronic equipment collection, processing, recovery and recycling, equipment users, and recovery organizations; furthermore, the Act sets forth the legal framework for functioning of the Register kept by the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection.
Waste equipment means waste items belonging to one of the categories defined in Annex 1 to Waste Act of 27 April 2001 (Journal of Laws of 2001, No. 62, item 628), which the holder disposes of, intends to dispose of, or is obliged to dispose of.
The purpose of amendment of the WEEE Act is the desired achievement of full transposition by Poland of Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) (Official Journal L 37 of 13 February 2001), and the 2010 National Waste Management Plan.The objective of the new legislation is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of waste electrical and electronic equipment management system so that to achieve the objective set by the EU Directive and to reach a target rate of separate collection of WEEE of 4 kg on average per inhabitant per year. An important change in the legislation is the implementation of minimum yearly mandatory targets of WEEE collection for entities placing equipment on the market, expressed as a percentage of the quantities (weight) of electrical and electronic equipment sold on the market - on the basis of new Article 27a of the Act of 21 November 2008 on Amending the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act and Amendment of Certain Other Acts of Law (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 223, item 1464).
On 30 December 2008, Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 22 December 2008 concerning minimum yearly rates of waste equipment collection was signed (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 235, item 1615). Issuance of the above mentioned Regulation, which sets out the mandatory yearly targets for waste equipment from households, is among the key provisions of the Act approved by the Sejm (lower house of parliament) on Amending the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act and Amendment of Certain Other Acts of Law.
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This monograph was developed within the framework of the project called “Polish-Norwegian partnership for knowledge transfer in the field of waste management of electrical and electronic equipment in Poland, with particular emphasis on the Mazovia and Silesia Regions (WEEE), funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanism.To meet the problems of the waste electrical and electronic equipment management (WEEE), Institute of Mechanised Construction and Rock Mining has prepared a project focusing on the dissemination and transfer of knowledge and good practices in the area of WEEE The project received support from Norway through co-financing its implementation with the Norwegian Financial Mechanism (under Priority 2.9. “Regional policy and cross border activities”). Project Coordinator is the Institute and its partner cooperating in the implementation is Sintef Stiftelsen - the largest independent research organization in Scandinavia.The project focuses on the implementation of the educational program and helps in search and transfer of good practices and innovative technologies of WEEE management to and from Polish enterprises. The main objective of the project is to disseminate knowledge relevant to WEEE management and support companies in the area of waste management of electrical and electronic equipment.In order to achieve this objective a number of educational, promotional and business activities has taken place. The development of this monograph is provided to carry out as a task in an educational activities package. The main objective of the monograph is to familiarize its readers with the system of managing WEEE that operates in Poland and in selected European countries, as well as with selected existing methods - waste disposal technologies of electrical and electronic products that have been identified within the project framework.In the first section of the monograph there is indicated a key legislation concerned with WEEE. The second chapter focuses on the legislation in force at the European level, while the third chapter at the national level. The next chapter presents the competence responsible for fulfilling the obligations under the Act on WEEE. The fifth chapter presents the quantitative and qualitative inventory of WEEE developed on the basis of data provided by the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection.The next section presents the levels of WEEE collection and recovery and recycling targets for different groups of equipment. Chapter eight concerns the reporting of WEEE collection, while the ninth chapter - financial responsibility, including fines and penalties for participants in the system in Poland. Chapter ten identifies those responsible for educating the public on proper handling of waste electrical and electronic equipment.Eleventh chapter was devoted to discussion of the existing systems of managing WEEE in selected European countries. The next chapter presents a system for WEEE management in Norway. The thirteenth chapter is a summary of several years of system’s operation related to WEEE management in Poland. The fourteenth chapter is devoted to the presentation of selected technologies for WEEE processing.A team of employees participated in the project were involved at work on the monograph, and additional support were given to it by the Polish and Norwegian experts.
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1. SOURCES OF LAW
The purpose of Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is the prevention of such waste, and in addition, support the reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery of such waste so as to reduce the quantity of stored or incinerated waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). WEEE Directive: • sets out the obligation to collect, process, recover and reuse/recycle (with reuse of the entire equipment specified as the first priority); • requires Member States to set up systems for collecting used electrical and electronic equipment; • defines multiple new obligations, such as obligation to adopt legislation obligating producers to finance the costs of collection, processing, recovery, recycling and environment friendly disposal of WEEE from households and from other sources, such as institutions and businesses. On 21 October 2005, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act of 29 July 2005 (WEEE Act) entered into force (Journal of Laws of 2005, No. 180, item 1495), as transposition of Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). WEEE Act: • sets out the requirements to be fulfilled by electrical and electronic equipment and the rules of proceeding with waste equipment so as to protect human life and health and to protect the environment in accordance with sustainable development principles; • imposes an obligation on producers and importers who put electrical and electronic equipment on the market to establish WEEE collection, recovery and recycling systems; • sets out WEEE management obligations of other entities - collecting entities, processing entities, recyclers, communes, and consumers.The amended WEEE Act of 21 November 2008 (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 223, item 1464) introduces certain changes aimed at facilitating operation of waste electrical and electronic equipment system so as to achieve a minimum yearly WEEE collection target of 4 kg per inhabitant in Poland. The new legislation has been in force since 1 January 2009.The main changes include: • introduction of new definitions and amending the existing definitions (business operators, entities placing equipment on the market, collecting entities, processing plants); • recognition of scrap yards and servicing points as WEEE collecting entities; • authorization of the competent minister of the environment to issue a regulation setting out minimum yearly targets for collection of WEEE from households; • introduction of degressive rates of product fees; • new regulations concerning presentation of waste management costs (WMC) in product prices;
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• imposing an obligation to organize educational campaigns on entities placing equipment on the market.
Act of 13 September 1996 on Maintaining Cleanliness and Order in Communes (Journal of Laws of 2005, No. 236, item 2008) defines the tasks of communes and duties of real property owners in relation to maintenance of cleanliness and order, as well as the conditions of granting permission to service providers in the field covered by the scope of the Act regulation.
2. EUROPEAN UNION LEGISLATION
The primary European Union instrument in respect of the functioning of WEEE collection systems is Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). The Directive sets out the rules of implementing the objectives of the Community’s environment policy, including in particular to preserve, protect and improve the quality of the environment, and to utilize natural resources prudently and rationally. The purpose of Directive 2002/96/EC is, as a first priority, “the prevention of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), and in addition, the reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery of such wastes so as to reduce the disposal of waste”. The Directive introduced multiple basic concepts concerning various aspects of functioning of the WEEE system. Some of them had already been defined by other directives, others had to be redefined (taking into consideration the characteristics of WEEE), and still others were specified for the first time. The Directive also sets out the minimum mandatory recovery targets for each group, as well as minimum WEEE reuse and recycling targets. The Directive introduced the requirement to attach uniform labels with a crossed rubbish container symbol to electrical and electronic equipment put on the market after 13 August 2005. Member States undertook to inform the Commission on a regular basis of the effects of implementation of national legislation arising from the guidelines of the Directive. EU Member States further agreed to provide appropriate supervision and control over implementation of these regulations and to introduce certain restrictions to be imposed on WEEE management system participants in the event of breach of legislation adopted in accordance with the Directive.
Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)The purpose of this Directive is to support the reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) so as to reduce the quantities of such waste for neutralization, as well as to improve environmental efficiency of business operators involved in WEEE processing. WEEE Directive defines the criteria applicable to collection, processing and recovery of used electrical and electronic equipment. It states that producers are responsible for financing the majority of these activities (producer’s responsibility). Member States are responsible for establishing such collection systems in which end holders and resellers of electrical and electronic equipment will be able to return such equipment from households free of charge. The
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Directive defines targets for recycling and recovery of materials and components of separately collected waste. Producers are obliged to provide information required by users to enable them to identify the components, substances and hazardous contents in the equipment.
Directive 2006/12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2006 on wasteThe essential objective of all provisions relating to waste disposal must be the protection of human health and the environment against harmful effects caused by the collection, transport, treatment, storage and tipping of waste. Member States should take appropriate measures to promote restriction of waste production, to promote waste recycling and processing, recovery of materials and energy, and any other waste reuse process. In order to ensure protection of the environment, a system of permits for business operators engaged in waste disposal, warehousing or landfilling on behalf of third parties. A supervision system has also been established for business operators engaged in disposal of their own waste or collection of third party waste, as well as a plan incorporating primary aspects to be taken into consideration with respect to various waste disposal processes.
Directive 2003/108/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 December 2003 amending Directive 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)The most important change was related to financing of waste electrical and electronic equipment from non-household users. Article 9 of Directive 2002/96/EC was replaced by: Member States shall ensure that, by 13 August 2005, covering the costs of collection, processing, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of WEEE from users other than private households from products put on the market after 13 August 2005 is to be provided for by producers.For historical waste being replaced by new equivalent products or by new products fulfilling the same function, covering the costs shall be provided for by producers of those products when supplying them. Member States may, as an alternative, provide that users other than private households also to be made, partly or totally, responsible for financing the collection system.
Council Directive 91/689/EEC of 12 December 1991 on hazardous wasteThe object of this Directive, drawn up pursuant to Article of Directive 75/442/EEC, is to approximate the laws of the Member States on the controlled management of hazardous waste. Member States ensure that hazardous waste is recorded and identified. They also ensure that different categories of hazardous waste are not mixed and that hazardous waste is not mixed with non-hazardous waste. Every establishment or undertaking which disposes of or recovers hazardous waste must obtain a permit. The requirement to obtain such permit can be abandoned if the applied recovery method guarantees non-existence of any risk for human health or the environment, or if the given Member State takes appropriate measures to identify general conditions for various methods of recovery.
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Establishments or undertakings which dispose of or recover hazardous waste, as well as producers of hazardous waste, are subject to periodical inspections.
Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipmentRoHS Directive entered into force on 1 July 2006 and is mandatory in every Member State. The above Directive restricts the use of six hazardous substances in manufacture of different types of electrical and electronic equipment. It is closely related to Directive 2002/96/EC (WEEE), which sets out the targets for collection, recycling and recovery of electrical equipment, and it is a part of a legislation initiative aimed at resolving the issue of production of enormous quantities of toxic electronic waste. RoHS is often referenced as a Directive concerning lead (Pb), but in fact it prescribes restriction of the use of the following six substances: lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). The two latter substances are flame retardants used in many types of plastics. The maximum acceptable concentration is 0.1% or 1000 ppm (with the exception of cadmium, which is restricted to 0.01% or 100 ppm) of uniform material weight. It means that the restrictions do not apply to finished product quantity or part thereof but to every single substance which may (theoretically) be separated with mechanical measures.
The key purpose of waste electrical and electronic equipment Directive is to reduce the quantity of toxic WEEE reaching collection facilities through encouraging to undertake top priority actions in the waste handling hierarchy: from poor responses in terms of the environment, i.e. storage, to enhancement of recovery and reuse of products as far as possible.
Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 27 January 2003 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) aims at tackling improper treatment of waste electrical and electronic equipment. Waste electrical and electronic equipment is the fastest growing stream of waste in the European Union, producing 8.3 to 9.1 million tonnes of waste in 2005, and this value is estimated to reach 12.3 million tonnes in 2010.
In 2020, the quantity of properly processed waste should increase to 4.3 million tonnes (from the original level of 3.4 million tonnes in 2005). Below is a selection of data concerning WEEE collection estimations for 2020.
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Fig.2-1. 2020 Anticipated allocation
Source: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=SEC:2008:2934:FIN:PL:PDF
Fig. 2-2. 2020. Anticipated collection
Source: http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=SEC:2008:2934:FIN:PL:PDF
When WEEE is treated without proper procedures, environmental harm arises, inparticular from release of heavy metals, like mercury, from compact fluorescent lamps and flat-screen TVs. Recycling procedures that do not use best practice waste recyclable precious metals and plastics with knock-on energy use and environmental harm from production of virgin material.Of the unnecessary costs identified in the operation of the WEEE Directive the most significant come from uncertainty on the scope of the Directive and requirements for producers to register and report in each Member State they sell in. Specific activity required by business from these, and other avoidable administrative costs are estimated at €66mln /year.
2020 Anticipated allocation
Quanity (Mt)
produced
quantity of EEEthat becamewaste duringthe year
collected
0,0 5,0 10,0 15,0 20,0
illegal land fills and dumpsites
property managed (reported)
property managed (not reported)
improperty managed,in or outside the EU
2020 Anticipated collection
Quanity (Mt)
produced
quantity of EEEthat becamewaste duringthe year
collected
0,0 5,0 10,0 15,0 20,0
Non-separate collection
Municipal collection
Retail/resellers
Reuse centres
Independent collection
B2B collection
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All EU Member States are obliged to transpose the regulations of WEEE Directive to their respective legislative frameworks. The provisions of that Directive have a major influence on the duties of electrical equipment manufacturers, traders and users. It is a common problem for new Member States that environmental directives are developed on the basis of experience of those Member States which have significantly higher financial potential, enabling them to meet the requirements arising from these regulations. An example of the above issue is the 4 kg target of WEEE collected per year per inhabitant. According to observation of the situation in Poland with respect to separate collection, which has until now been based on voluntary actions by business operators, there is a real risk of achievement of targets in this respect.
3. NATIONAL LEGISLATION
1. Act of 27 April 2001 - Environmental Protection Law (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 25, item 150, as amended) sets out the principles of protecting the environment and use of environmental resources, with due consideration of sustainable development requirements; ways of preventing pollution; regulations concerning environmental policy and environmental protection programs; general requirements concerning production and placing of products on the market, particularly with respect to restriction of: • consumption of substances and energy, • use of substances and technical solutions that may have an adverse environ- mental impact during the product life and after the product becomes waste, • use of substances or technical solutions that prevent repairs, disassembly for the purpose of separating used-up parts requiring special procedure, or reuse of a part of the product in another product, or reuse for other purposes.2. Act of 27 April 2001 on Waste (Journal of Laws of 2007, No. 39, item 251, as amended) sets out the rules of proceeding with waste so as to ensure protection of human life and health and protection of the environment in conformity with sustainable development principles, particularly the principle of waste pro-duction prevention or limitation of waste quantity and adverse environmental impact, as well as waste recovery, recycling or disposal. The Act lists the duties of waste holders, specific principles of managing certain types of waste, as well as waste storage and warehousing methodologies.3. Act of 11 May 2001 on Packaging and Packaging Waste (Journal of Laws of 2003, No. 11, item 97) sets out the requirements which must be met by packaging in terms of environmental protection regulations, and proceeding with packaging and packaging waste to ensure protection of human life and health and protection of the environment in accordance with sustainable development principles; the Act further specifies the duties of each manufacturer, importer, intracommunity buyer, exporter, intra-Community supplier of packaging and packaged products, as well as the duties of the seller and user of packaged goods.4. Act of 11 May 2001 on Duties of Business Operators with respect to Managing Certain Types of Waste, Product Fee, and Deposit Fee (Journal of Laws of 2007, No. 90, item 607) sets out the duties of importers and manufacturers of products,
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relating to placement of packaged products on the domestic market, and presents the rules of determining and charging a product fee and deposit fee. Moreover, the Act obliges public administration authorities to keep packaging waste management records and reports.5. Act on Maintaining Cleanliness and Order in Communes of 13 September 1996 (Journal of Laws of 2005, No. 236, item 2008) provides supplementary regulation of packaging waste management in communes. It contains significant provisions concerning organization of separate collection of waste and participation by communal authorities in handling of separated hazardous waste. Communes meet these responsibilities through preparing appropriate regulations in force on their local territory.6. Act on Road Transport of Hazardous Goods of 28 October 2002 (Journal of Laws of 2002, No. 199, item 1671, as amended) sets out the rules of road transport of hazardous goods, requirements to be met by drivers and other persons employed in activities associated with such road transport, as well as by competent supervision and inspection authorities.7. Act on Railway Transport of Hazardous Goods of 31 March 2004 (Journal of Laws of 2004, No. 97, item 962) sets out the rules of railway transport of hazardous goods, duties of parties engaged in such transport activities, principles of conformity assessment of transport pressure equipment, range of authorization of transport safety advisors, supervision and inspection authorities and units competent in these matters.8. Act on International Shipments of Waste of 29 June 2007 (Journal of Laws of 2007, No. 124, item 859) sets out the procedure and competent authorities to take actions related to international shipments of waste under Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste (OJ L 190 of 12 July 2006, p. 1), and financial penalties for default in performance of duties related to international shipments of waste.
List of national regulations in force, promulgated under Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act of 29 July 2005 (Journal of Laws of 2005, No. 180, item 1495; Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 223, item 1464; Journal of Laws of 2009, No. 79, item 666) - as at 1 September 2009:1. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 25 January 2006 concerning specific rates of product fees for equipment (Journal of Laws of 2006, No. 19, tem 152) (Article 66(2)).2. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 30 January 2006 concerning form of recycling certificate and form of certificate documenting recovery processes other than recycling (Journal of Laws of 2006, No. 27, item 203) (Article 55).3. Regulation of the Minister of Finance of 9 March 2006 concerning civil liability insurance of entities placing equipment on the market for nonperformance of waste electrical and electronic equipment collection, processing, recovery, including recycling, and disposal obligations (Journal of Laws of 2006, No. 46, item 332) (Article 19(5)).
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4. Regulation of the Minister of Finance of 30 May 2006 concerning specific terms of cooperation between financial institutions and the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management, and forms of financial security instruments (Journal of Laws of 2006, No. 95, item 662) (Article 19(4)).5. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 22 December 2008 concerning minimum yearly WEEE collection targets (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 235, item 1615) (Article 27a(4)).6. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 22 December 2008 concerning rates of registration fee and annual fee (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 236, item 1649) (Article 9(6)).7. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 28 April 2009 concerning form application for entry to the registry and form of application for amendment of entry to the registry (Journal of Laws of 2009, No. 68, item 582) (Article 8 (9)).8. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 4 May 2009 concerning form of report on quantity and weight of produced WEEE (Journal of Laws of 2009, No. 72, item 627) (Article 24(3)).9. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 12 May 2009 concerning form of report on weight of WEEE collected and forwarded for handling to a waste collector (Journal of Laws of 2009, No. 81, item 682) (Article 40 (2)).10. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 12 May 2009 concerning form of report on processed WEEE (Journal of Laws of 2009, No. 81, item 683) (Article 51(2)).11. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 12 May 2009 concerning forms of reports on waste derived from WEEE (Journal of Laws of 2009, No. 81, item 684) (Article 56(2)).12. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 5 June 2009 concerning method of registry number determination (Journal of Laws of 2009, No. 92, item 760) (Article 10 (3)).13. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 8 June 2009 concerning a list of WEEE processing plants (Journal of Laws of 2009, No. 94, item 783) (Article 33(5)).14. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 8 June 2009 concerning form of mannual report on the amount of product fee payable for equipment (Journal of Laws of 2009, No. 94, item 784) (Article 67 (2)).15. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 15 June 2009 concerning methods of calculation of WEEE recovery and recycling targets (Journal of Laws of 2009, No. 99, item 837) (Article 30(6)).16. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 19 June 2009 concerning forms of WEEE reports (Journal of Laws of 2009, No. 102, item 856) (Article 31 (2)).17. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 16 July 2009 concerning form of WEEE certificate and submission procedure (Journal of Laws of 2009, No. 122, item 1017) (Article 50(8)).18. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 10 August 2009 concerning
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equipment and waste equipment database (Journal of Laws of 2009, No. 132, item 1092) (Article 15(6)).
4. ENTITIES RESPONSIBLE FOR FULFILLING THE OBLIGATIONS ARISING FROM THE WEEE ACT
Improper handling of waste electrical and electronic equipment poses an immediate threat to the environment and to human health. Hazardous and harmful substances contained in the equipment may permeate to soil and thereafter to underground waters as a result of damage to the equipment. As a consequence, they may cause pollution in the environment and health problems in the population. Therefore, it is important to dispose of waste equipment properly, through separate collection (not mixing with other types of waste), appropriate processing and neutralization of hazardous elements and substances, as well as handling of such waste by waste collectors. Electrical waste is transferred from waste collectors to processing plants where hazardous substances are removed and separated, while the specific items are recovered and forwarded to recycling. In addition, recovery of materials which may be reused for manufacturing new equipment leads to a significant reduction of environmental and technology costs (even 90% of a used fluorescent lamp may be reused for manufacturing a new lamp). After entry into force of the Act of 21 November 2008 on Amending the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act and Amendment of Certain Other Acts of Law (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 223, item 1464), electrical waste from households may be furnished free of charge to: 1. A scrap yard, licensed to collect waste electrical and electronic equipment and registered with the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection. Scrap yards may not treat used washing machines, refrigerators or dishwashers as waste, and disassemble them in improper conditions. Incorporation of scrap yards is expected to restrict the grey zone of unregistered electrical waste flow and to guarantee proper and safe handling of this waste. 2. A servicing point if the cost of service exceeds the purchase price of a new equipment item or if repairs prove ineffective. A service technician may refuse to accept waste equipment if the customer brings in the equipment with an intention of disposal and not repair, or if an old device is a threat to employees’ health or life. 3. A shop or wholesale outlet, at the time of purchasing new equipment, for exchange (1 for 1, i.e. old equipment for new). The customer shall provide transport on his own, or arrange it with the shop. 4. A special collection point located in the commune. A database of waste collection points in Poland is available at www.elektrosmieci.pl. The customer has to provide transport at his own expense.
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The WEEE act defines the following groups of entities responsible for meeting the requirements arising from the above Act in Poland: 1. Entities placing equipment on the market (manufacturers and importers of equipment) and waste electrical and electronic equipment recovery organizations, 2. Users of equipment, 3. Entities engaged in separate collection of WEEE (including retail and wholesale sellers of electrical and electronic equipment), 4. Processing plants, recovery and recycling entities, 5. Operators of scrap yards or equipment servicing points, 6. Institutions responsible for monitoring and controlling compliance with the obligations.
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Fig. 4-1 Participants of the WEEE handling system
Source:http://g.infor.pl/p/_wspolne/pliki/95000/praktyczne_aspekty_funkcjonowania_systemu_gospodarowania_zuzytym_sprzetem_elektrycznym_i_elektronicznym_95878.pdf
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Institutional
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unicipal and other public collection points
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Scrab yards
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Licensed W
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4.1. Responsibilities of undertakings
Pursuant to the Act of 29 July 2005 on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Journal of Laws of 2005, No. 180, item 1495), manufacturers and importers who place electrical and electronic equipment on the Polish market are obliged to organize and finance activities related to collection, take-back, handling, recovery and recycling of waste equipment. Since the beginning of 2009, business operators have been under new obligations relating to waste electrical and electronic equipment. The main new obligations include the following: • retailers and wholesalers of equipment designed for households are obliged to inform buyers of waste management costs (costs of collection, handling, recycling or other ways of recovery and disposal of waste equipment), • entities placing equipment for households on the market have to allocate part of their funds to environmental education, • the following entities have to register with the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection: 1. operators of equipment repair points, 2. operators of scrap yards - if the given scrap yard is certified as a waste equipment collector. It means that such companies are obliged to: • collect waste electrical and electronic equipment; • file an application to register with the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection, including the company name, registered office address, VAT ID and statistical number REGON. Furthermore, they have to specify the group and type of equipment collected by them. Such application can be sent to the address of the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection or filed as an electronic document if the company has an electronic signature; • use the registration number received from the Inspectorate on documents related to trade of waste produced from WEEE; • keep appropriate records and reports. In addition, business operators have to record the weight of equipment collected by them. Reports with such data have to be submitted to the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection every six months. Business operators must specify the quantity and types of collected equipment in the report document. Also, they have to present data concerning quantity of old equipment handed over to processing plants. A report for each period from 1 January to 30 June must be filed until 31 July at the latest. The same report with data for each period from 1 July to 31 December must be filed until 15 March. A registration application must be filed before commencement of business operations in the field subject to mandatory registration. The Act does not specify a deadline for making such registration.
18 19
4.2. Responsibilities of consumers, manufacturers, importers
According to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, the consumer: • is obliged to hand over waste electrical and electronic equipment to a licensed collector of such equipment (Article 35 of the WEEE Act); • may not dispose of waste equipment together with other waste (Article 36 of the WEEE Act). Leaving such equipment anywhere beside a specifically designed location (for example, dumping such equipment to a dustbin, placing in front of a block of flats, abandoning it in a forest) is subject to a fine in amounts ranging from PLN 20 to PLN 5,000 (Article 74 of the WEEE Act); • is entitled to leave his waste electrical or electronic equipment free of charge with a shop accepting such waste equipment, in quantities not exceeding the quantity of new equipment sold to him, on a “1 for 1” basis, i.e. a fridge for a fridge, a fluorescent lamp for a fluorescent lamp, etc. (Article 42(1) of the WEEE Act), • is entitled to leave his waste electrical or electronic equipment free of charge at a servicing point if repair of such equipment is not possible or commercially viable (Article 42a(1) of the amended WEEE Act); • is entitled to hand his waste electrical or electronic equipment free of charge to a waste collection point (Article 37(2) of the amended WEEE Act, with reference to Article 35 of the WEEE Act); • is entitled to receive information about the Waste Management Costs (Article 25(7) of the amended WEEE Act).
At the same time, under the same Act manufacturers and importers who place electrical and electronic equipment on the Polish market are obliged to organize and finance activities related to collection, take-back, handling, recovery and recycling of waste equipment. The Act allows transferring some obligations from the producer to the waste electrical and electronic equipment recovery organization, and for producers of lighting equipment, the Act stipulates compulsory transfer of obligations on the waste electrical and electronic equipment organization (Article 34(b) of the amended WEEE Act). The Act enables business operators to organize recovery of waste equipment independently, but in practice it often turns out that creating an independent recovery system and related administrative duties are relatively expensive and time-consuming, particularly to smaller companies. Therefore, more and more companies decide to cooperate with waste electrical and electronic equipment recovery organizations. If an agreement is signed with such WEEE recovery organization, the organization takes over the majority of obligations imposed on manufacturers and importers; first of all, it accepts responsibility for development of a waste collection, recovery and recycling system. On behalf of the producer placing equipment on the market, the organization reports to the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection the quantity and weight of produced equipment, as well as the volume of mass collected and handled. If the producer organizes a WEEE collection system for itself, it is not only obliged to gather waste equipment but also to process it so as to achieve the recovery and recycling rate appropriate for the given type of equipment (according to Article 30 of the
20 21
WEEE Act). Thus, instead of focusing on their statutory activities, business operators concentrate their efforts on activities which are not related to their business profile. Operating an independent WEEE recovery system is possible, although difficult. Thus, all signs indicate that manufacturers and importers will be willing to use the support of organizations specializing in recovery of waste equipment, in order to reduce the risk of having to operate such system independently.
4.3. Entities producing and collecting waste electrical and electronic equipment; processing and recycling entities; operators engaged in recovery procedures other than recycling
The amendment of the WEEE Act also expanded the group of businesses subject to regulations of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act. The legislator also gave a more specific definition of a producer of equipment, which now includes not only importers and manufacturers of equipment who then place the equipment on the market in Poland on the basis of sales contracts and VAT invoices, but also all business operators who first place equipment in the territory of Poland, whether free of charge or for a consideration, for use or distribution. Thus, the definition of a producer also includes a business operator who manufactures equipment and places it on the market through lease, or a manufacturer who imports at least one piece of electrical or electronic equipment for its own use in its business.
Duties of equipment producers: 1. To submit an application for registration with the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection, to pay a registration fee and an annual fee (Article 7 and Article 9 of the WEEE Act). 2. Placing a registry number on all invoices and other documents issued by it in relation to its business activities (Article 21 of the WEEE Act). 3. To keep users of equipment produced by it informed of mandatory separate collection of waste equipment (Article 22(1) of the WEEE Act). 4. To keep users of equipment produced by it informed of waste equipment collection system (Article 22(2) of the WEEE Act). 5. To label all equipment produced by it with a crossed dustbin symbol, meaning that the given equipment cannot be disposed to ordinary waste bins (Article 23 of the WEEE Act). Such marking must be affixed visibly, legibly and indelibly. 6. Each producer is obliged to carry out public education campaigns (Article 23a of the amended WEEE Act). This obligation can be performed independently (at a minimum rate of 0.1% of the business operator’s revenues), or via a waste electrical and electronic equipment organization. 7. To prepare and present to the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection regular reports concerning quantities and weight of produced equipment (Article 24 of the WEEE Act), until 31 July at the latest for the period from 1 January to 30 June each year, and until 15 March for the period from 1 July to 31 December each year, respectively.
20 21
8. Producers of equipment designed for households, including household equipment, audiovisual devices, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools have to inform retailers and wholesalers of the amount of waste management costs (Article 25(2) of the WEEE Act). The right to receive waste management cost information is vested in producers of equipment designed for households, including IT and telecommunication equipment, as well as toys, recreational equipment, sports equipment, medical products, surveillance and control instruments, dispensing machines. 9. Waste management costs are a part of the price of the given equipment and can be presented to buyers as components of such price, e.g. as a separate price item presented on an invoice. The amount of waste management costs- may not exceed the costs actually incurred by producers of equipment (Article 25 of the WEEE Act). 10. An equipment producer must prepare information designed for waste handling and recycling plants concerning reuse and processing of waste equipment, within 12 months of producing a new type of equipment (Article 26(1) of the WEEE Act). 11. A producer of equipment designed for households is obliged to organize and finance WEEE takeback from collectors of waste equipment, to process, recover (including through recycling) and to dispose of waste equipment from households (Article 27 of the WEEE Act). 12. A producer of equipment for households must achieve certain minimum yearly targets in collecting waste equipment from households, with the exception of lighting fixtures, in which total weight of metals, minerals, glass or wood exceeds 90% of total product weight. Mandatory collection targets are determined with reference to the weight of equipment produced in the preceding calendar year, with the exception of producers who are only commencing their activities and who are obliged to calculate collection targets with respect to production in the given calendar year. 13. Producers of equipment other than for households are obliged to organize and finance collection, handling, recovery (including recycling) and disposal of waste equipment from nonhousehold users: • derived from equipment placed by the given producer in the territory of Poland after 13 August 2005, • derived from equipment placed by the given producer in the territory of Poland before 13 August 2005 if waste equipment is replaced by equipment of the same type or performing the same functions as that supplied by the given producer, and the costs of financing collection, handling, recovery, including recycling, and disposal of that equipment can also be borne by the equipment user, to the extent specified in the contract (Arti-cle 29 of the WEEE Act). 14. Both the producer and the user of equipment other than designed for households is obliged to furnish waste equipment to entities registered with the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection as waste equipment collectors or handling/processing plants.
22 23
15. Every producer is obliged to achieve the recovery and recycling targets set in the Act, calculated as a percentage of the weight of waste equipment collected and handed to waste handling plant operator entered in the registry (Article 30 of the WEEE Act). 16. The producer should prepare and submit a report to the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection concerning weight of collected, handled, recovered (including recycled) and disposed waste equipment, within the deadline of 31 July regarding the period from 1 January to 30 June, and 15 March regarding the period from 1 July to 31 December each year, respectively (Article 31(1) of the WEEE Act). 31 March is the deadline for submission of a report on collection targets achieved in the preceding year. 17. A producer of equipment must enter into an agreement with registered waste handling plant operators regarding such processing capacity that would allow handling of collected waste equipment (Article 33(1) of the WEEE Act). Moreover, until the end of February each year, the producer should prepare and submit to the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection a list of waste handling plants which he signed an agreement with (Article 33(4) of the WEEE Act).
The duty of registration with the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection in Warsaw and compliance with the obligations defined for equipment collectors in the WEEE Act will not only apply to retailers and wholesalers, communal units of organization operating in the field of collecting municipal waste, and business operators in the field of collecting municipal waste, as well as servicing points and scrap yards. Collectors of equipment will also include handling/processing plants where collected waste equipment must be transferred for the purpose of removing hazardous components, disassembling and further processing.
Duties of waste equipment collector: 1. Each collector of waste equipment must: • collect waste equipment separately, • accept waste equipment from households without charging any fees, with the reservation of Article 42(1) and Article 42a(1) of the WEEE Act. 2. Waste equipment collectors are obliged to accept every waste equipment item handed over by a user. A retailer, wholesaler or an operator of a servicing point may refuse to accept waste equipment if it poses a threat to health or life of the persons accepting such waste equipment. 3. Waste equipment collectors are obliged to make sure that waste equipment is transported to a processing plant so as to enable reuse of the equipment or its component parts, as well as recovery, including recycling, of materials and substances originating from such waste equipment. 4. Waste equipment collectors have to transfer all collected waste equipment to a registered handling/processing plant operator. 5. Waste equipment collectors other than servicing points, retailers and wholesalers have to submit the following data to the commune head, mayor or town president for their respective territory of operation within 30 days of com-mencing business activities:
22 23
• company name, registered office and address, or first name, surname and address of waste equipment collector. Each waste equipment collector is obliged to notify the commune head, mayor or town president for their respective territory of operation of any change of the above data within 30 days of occurrence; • addresses of waste equipment collection points, except for equipment selling outlets and servicing points. Each waste equipment collector shall notify the commune head, mayor or town president for their respective territory of operation of discontinuation of its business activities within 30 days of permanent discontinuation. 6. Each waste equipment collector must prepare a report concerning weight of waste equipment collected and handed over to a handling/processing plant operator, which shall be submitted to the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection until 31 July for the period from 1 January to 30 June each year at the latest, and until 15 March for the period from 1 July to 31 December each year, respectively. According to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, an equipment handling/processing entity is a business operator of a waste handling/processing plant, i.e. a system, building or a part thereof where waste equipment is handled and processed, including its dismantling to remove hazardous items, materials and components from waste equipment, as identified in Annex 2 to the WEEE Act.
Duties of equipment handling/processing entities: • to accept waste equipment free of charge if repair of the equipment received by a servicing point is not feasible for technical reasons, or if the owner of the equipment considers such repair to be unprofitable, • to display information regarding waste equipment collection points at the servicing point, • to provide for handling/processing of used equipment and waste originating from such equipment in a manner which is safe for the environment and health of the population, • to accept used equipment from households from a waste equipment collector free of charge, and to remove hazardous components therefrom, • to transfer waste derived from handling/processing of waste equipment to a recycling operator or recovery operator other than a recycling business, • to submit all required reports to the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection. According to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, a recycling operator or a non-recycling recovery operator is a business operator that reprocesses substances or materials contained in waste in a production process to obtain a substance or material designed for the original purpose.
24 25
Duties of a recycling and non-recycling recovery operator: • to issue a certificate that confirms completed recycling, upon request of a waste handling/processing operator that transfers waste for recycling, and to furnish that certificate to the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection; • to submit all required reports to the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection.
5. COLLECTED WEEE QUANTITY AND QUALITY RECORDS
The Act of 29 July 2005 on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 223, item 1464) obliges all registered entities to prepare and furnish to the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection semi-annual and annual reports presenting rates of collection, recovery and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. On the basis of information contained in these reports and in collective reports submitted by provincial inspectorates of environmental protection of inspection of waste handling/processing plants, the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection keeps an equipment and waste equipment database, and analyzes the waste electrical and electronic equipment management system functioning each year.
Since 1 July 2006, the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection has been keeping registers of: 1. Producers of equipment 2. Collectors of waste equipment 3. Operators of waste handling/processing plants 4. Recycling operators 5. Non-recycling recovery operators 6. Electrical and electronic equipment recovery organizations According to the data contained in the “Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management System Functioning Report 2009”, which was prepared by the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection as at 31 December 2009, 10,850 business operators were registered by the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection as recovery operators and organizations, including: • 3,450 businesses operating as equipment producers, • 8,399 businesses operating as waste equipment collectors, • 137 businesses operating waste handling/processing plants, • 58 businesses operating as recycling operators or on-recycling recovery operators, • 7 businesses operating as non-recycling recovery operators, • 8 electrical and electronic equipment recovery organizations.
On the basis of applications lodged by businesses for deletion from the registry due to discontinuation of business activities subject to mandatory registration, 173 entities were deleted from the registry in 2009. Pursuant to the amendment of the Act, which has been in force since 1 January 2009, the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection issues decisions, on an ex of-ficio basis, to the effect of deleting entities from the registry if any nonconformities
24 25
are found in fulfillment of their obligation, or if they are found to have permanently discontinued their business activities. The Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection deleted 30 businesses from the registry in 2009 pursuant to the latter procedure. Also in 2009, the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection issued a decision to delete “AE-Centrum” Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization from the registry. Of all 3,450 registered businesses who were operating as producers of electrical and electronic equipment as at the end of 2009, 2,736 had a signed agreement with an electrical and electronic equipment recovery organization which performed waste management obligations specified in the WEEE Act for these businesses. As at 31 De-cember 2009, the highest number of agreements with producers of equipment were signed with “Biosystem Elektrorecyling” Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization (936), and the lowest number of agreements were signed with “DROP” Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization (52). The remaining organi-zations had the following numbers of agreements signed with businesses: - “Auraeko” Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization: 605,- “CCR RELECTRA” Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization: 550, - “ElektroEko” Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization: 209, - “IT Recykling” Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization: 175,- “Europejska Platforma Recyklingu” Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization: 141, - “Electro-System” Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization: 68. In 2009, their duties arising from the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act were independently fulfilling 714 businesses. A listing of data concerning quantities of waste equipment produced, collected and handled in 2009 is given in Table 5-1.
26 27
Table 5-1 Annual report on the quantities of waste equipment produced, collected and handled in 2009
Source: http://www.gios.gov.pl//zalaczniki/artykuly/raport_zseie_2009.pdf; “Raport o funkcjonowaniu sy-stemu gospodarki zużytym sprzętem elektrycznym i elektronicznym w 2009 r.” [Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management System Functioning Report 2009], Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection
Ite-
m
Num
ber a
nd n
ame
of th
e gr
oup
of p
rodu
ced
equi
pmen
t bei
ng
the
sour
ce o
f was
te e
lect
rical
an
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ectr
onic
equ
ipm
ent
Tota
l wei
ght
of p
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equi
pmen
t
Wei
ght o
f col
lect
ed w
aste
equ
ipm
ent
Wei
ght o
f was
teeq
uipm
ent
hand
led
in
Pol
and
Wei
ght o
f was
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uipm
ent h
andl
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ot
her M
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Wei
ght o
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ndle
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e EU
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lds
from
sour
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kg
1La
rge
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nces
219
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931,
42
50 1
05 6
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01
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8 94
3 97
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799,
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200
0
3IT
and
tele
com
mun
icati
on
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pmen
t 50
377
885
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13 7
70 5
31,5
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563
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1113
124
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5
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ting
equi
pmen
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pes:
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962
674,
174
960
303,
7015
9 59
9,22
4 93
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equi
pmen
tty
pes:
1 a
nd 6
24 3
89 6
12,4
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309
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6El
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37 1
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7 72
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5810
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26 27
Data analysis indicates that a total of 447,725,396.15 kg of electrical and electronic equipment was produced in the territory of Poland in 2009. The most equipment in terms of weight was produced in group 1 - Large household appliances (219,269,931.42 kg, or 48.97 % of the total), and in group 4 - Audiovisual equipment (58,459,978.50 kg, or 13.06 % of the total). Group 3 equipment - IT and telecommunication equipment also has a significant share in overall weight of produced equipment - 50,377,885.65 kg, or 11.25 % of the total). The least of all produced equipment was qualified to group 10 - Dispensing machines (2,435,654.71 kg, or 0.54 % of the total weight of produced equipment).If this data is presented with the reference to electrical and electronic equipment recovery organizations, one may conclude that businesses who have signed agreements with “ElektroEko” produced the highest weight of equipment in 2009 - 191,553,634.10 kg, or 42.78 % market share in terms of weight of produced equipment. For the remaining Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization, the data is as follows: 1. Biosystem Elektrorecykling – 113,488,448.27 kg; 25.35 % 2. Europejska Platforma Recyklingu – 44,370,160.54 kg; 9.91 % 3. CCR RELECTRA – 39,409,662.98 kg; 8.80 % 4. Auraeko – 27,513,369.33 kg; 6.14 % 5. Elektro-System – 12,253,906.42 kg; 2.75 % 6. IT Recykling – 5,383,208.11 kg; 1.20 % 7. DROP – 2,955,474.79 kg; 0.66 %
Weight of equipment produced by those producers who have not signed agreements with electrical and electronic equipment recovery organizations amounted to 10,797,531.61 kg, which gives 2.42 % of the market share in terms of weight of produced equipment. As regards collection of waste equipment, a total of 108,792,525.88 kg of waste equipment was collected in 2009, including 103,439,060.30 kg from households (95.07 % of total weight of collected waste equipment) and 5,353,465.58 kg from other sources (4.93 % of total weight of such equipment). The largest volume of waste equipment was collected in Group 1 - Large household appliances, namely 51,509,944.00 kg, or 47.34 % of total weight of collected waste equipment, and in Group 3 - IT and telecommunication equipment, namely 15,334,249.61 kg, or 14.09 % of total weight of collected equipment. The least waste equipment was collected in Group 10 - Dispensing machines, namely 183,027.50 kg, or 0.16 % of total weight of collected equipment. A total of 101,127,770.47 kg of waste equipment was handled during the period of analysis, with the highest percentage being Group 1 - Large household appliances (50,283,120.30 kg, or 49.72 % of all handled waste equipment), and the lowest being Group 10 - Dispensing machines (76,382.00, or 0.07 %).
5.1. WEEE collection levels
According to the data supplied by the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection, the rate of collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment in 2009 was 24.29 %, including 23.10 % rate of equipment collection from households. 2.70 kg of used
28 29
equipment was collected per capita (if the population count in 2009 is given as 38,173 thousand people, according to the data of the Central Statistical Office). The rate of waste electrical and electronic equipment collection from non-household sources in 2009 was 1.19 %. Table 5-2 presents the WEEE collection rates achieved in 2009, by group.
Table 5-2 Electrical and electronic equipment collection rates in 2009, on a by group basis
Source: http://www.gios.gov.pl//zalaczniki/artykuly/raport_zseie_2009.pdf; “Raport o funkcjonowaniu systemu gospodarki zużytym sprzętem elektrycznym i elektronicznym w 2009 r.” [Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management System Functioning Report 2009], Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection
1 The outcome results from comparison of weight of equipment produced in the previous years and decommissioned
in 2009 to the weight of equipment produced in 2009.
Item
Number and name of the group of produced equipment being the source
of waste equipment
Total weight of produced
equipment [kg]
Weight of collected waste
equipment[kg]
Waste equip-ment collection rate achieved
[%]
1 Large household appliances 219 269 934,42 51 509 944,00 23,49
2 Small household appliances 39 073 229,18 9 082 777,46 23,24
3 IT and telecommunication equipment 50 377 885,65 15 334 249,61 30,43
4 Audiovisual equipment 58 459 978,50 14 281 277,64 24,42
5
Lighting equipmenttypes: 2 – 5 2 926 674,17 5 119 902,92 174,93
Lighting equipmenttypes: 1 and 6 24 389 612,44 3 183 585,42 13,05
6Electrical and electronic tools (with the exception of large-scale stationary industrial tools) 37 106 796,03 6 990 494,35 18,84
7 Toys, leisure and sports equipment 5 991 179,52 1 756 042,50 29,31
8 Medical instruments, except for im-plants and contaminated products 3 421 292,62 382 522,27 11,18
9 Surveillance and monitoring instruments 4 237 161,91 962 707,20 22,72
10 Dispensing machines 2 435 654,71 183 027,50 7,92
Total 447 725 396,15 108 792 525,88 -----------
28 29
5.2. Recovered and recycled waste equipment
Total weight of waste equipment produced and recovered otherwise than through recycling amounted to 1,516,052.10 kg, with the largest proportion (576,611.70 kg) being waste produced of used Group 1 equipment - Large household appliances (38.03 % of total weight of waste equipment recovered otherwise than through recycling). Lowest weight of all waste equipment produced and recovered otherwise than through recycling in 2009 was the weight of waste Group 5 equipment - Lighting equipment, light sources (0 kg).
Total weight of recycled waste equipment in 2009 was 87,884,383.55 kg. Highest recycling rate was achieved in terms of weight for waste Group 1 equipment - Large household appliances (42,493,640.80 kg, or 48.35 % of overall weight of recycled waste equipment). Lowest recycling rate was achieved in terms of weight for waste Group 10 equipment - Dispensing machines (56,236.10 kg, or 0.06 % of the total).
Weight of waste equipment handed over for reuse was 823,129.90 kg. The most equipment was designed for reuse in terms of weight in Group 3 - IT and telecommunication equipment (386,192.80 kg, or 46.91 % of the total). Lighting equipment and dispensing machines were not reused as a whole at all.A listing of data concerning weights of recovered, recycled and reused waste equipment as a whole in 2009 is presented in Table 5-3.
30 31
Table 5-3 Annual report on weights of recovered, recycled and reused waste equipment in 2009
Source: http://www.gios.gov.pl//zalaczniki/artykuly/raport_zseie_2009.pdf; “Raport o funkcjonowaniu systemu gospodarki zużytym sprzętem elektrycznym i elektronicznym w 2009 r.” [Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management System Functioning Report 2009], Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection
Ite m.
Num
ber a
nd n
ame
of th
e gr
oup
of p
rodu
ced
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pmen
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ng th
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of w
aste
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tric
al a
nd e
lect
roni
c eq
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ent
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l wei
ght o
f was
teeq
uipm
ent r
ecov
ered
ot
herw
ise th
an th
roug
h re
cycl
ing
[kg]
Reco
very
rate
ac
hiev
ed
[%]
Tota
l wei
ght o
f was
teeq
uipm
ent w
hich
was
re
cycl
ed
[kg]
Recy
clin
g ra
te
achi
eved
[%]
Tota
l wei
ght o
f was
te
equi
pmen
t reu
sed
as a
w
hole
[kg]
1La
rg h
ouse
hold
app
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es57
6 61
1,70
89,8
042
493
640
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88,6
684
809
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all h
ouse
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es26
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and
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com
mun
icati
on
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pmen
t33
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411
803
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838
6 19
2,80
4Au
diov
isual
equ
ipm
ent
166
096,
7087
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086
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0
5
Ligh
ting
equi
pmen
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pes:
2 –
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54
590
935,
0092
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0
Ligh
ting
equi
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pes:
1 a
nd 6
94 5
02,0
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30 31
5.3. Quanti tati ve balance of WEEE producti on
The Insti tute of Non-Ferrous Metals in Gliwice (the Gliwice Insti tute) carried out rsearch to analyze the issue of processing combined waste and electronic waste. Quanti tati ve and qualitati ve analysis of waste electrical and electronic equipment occurring in Poland was carried out, and a quality balance of waste producti on in 2018 was presented. In preparing the balance of generated waste, average life of each item of equiment was assumed according to its type, whether more advanced technology soluti ons were implemented, products becoming obsolete, and average degree of households furning with equipment. Average weights of parti cular types of equipment were taken into acount in determining the weight of waste.
5.3.1. Large-sized equipment
Over 28 million large household appliances are currently used in Poland. This group of equipment consti tuted 47.3 % of the weight of WEEE actually collected aft er the end of its useful life in 2009. The quanti ty of equipment items from this category increased by over 1.25 % in 2007 as against the value for 2003. During 2010-2018, over 5% growth is anti cipated in the quanti ty of equipment used in domesti c households. According to the assumed average life of equipment, in 2010 this quanti ty should reach 1.5 thousand Mg. Analysis carried out in the Gliwice Insti tute research indicates that in 2018, anti cipated quanti ty of waste produced from this type of equipment will reach 1,774 thousand Mg. The quanti ty of large appliances used in households will be growing unti l 2018 and will exceed 30 million items.Figure 5-1 presents the quanti ty of waste large-sized household equipment during 2008-2018.
Figure 5-1 Quanti ty of large-sized household equipment during 2008-2018 which has reached its anti cipated life becoming waste
Source: “Zbiórka odpadów elektrycznych i elektronicznych. Część I” [Collecti on of Electrical and Electronic Waste. Part I]; Recykling magazine, issue 12(120)2010
1 800 000
1 750 000
1 700 000
1 650 000
1 600 000
1 550 000
1 500 000
1 450 000
1 400 000
1 350 000
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Qua
nti ty
of l
arge
hou
seho
ldeq
uipm
ent w
aste
, Mg
Years
32 33
5.3.2. Small-sized equipment Over 84 million small household appliances are currently used in Poland. This group of equipment constituted 8.3 % of the weight of WEEE after the end of its useful life in 2009. Analysis carried out by the Gliwice Institute shows that a minor increase (1.5%) of the quantity of small household equipment has been recorded in Poland since 2008-2010. According to forecasts, the proportion of such appliances may decrease by approximately 2.6% until 2013, due to the economic crisis. Afterwards, the quantity of small household appliances in use will grow by over 1%. Analysis carried out in the Gliwice Institute research indicates that in 2018, anticipated quantity of waste produced from this type of equipment will reach 253 thousand Mg. Figure 5-2 presents the quantity of waste small-sized household equipment during 2008-2018.
Figure 5-2 Quantity of small-sized household equipment during 2008-2018 which has reached its anticipated life becoming waste
Source: “Zbiórka odpadów elektrycznych i elektronicznych. Część I” [Collection of Electrical and Electronic Waste. Part I]; Recykling magazine, issue 12(120)2010
5.3.3. Computer hardware
Over 8 million items of computer hardware are currently used in Poland. According to forecasts, the volume of computer hardware will reach approximately 10.3 million devices in 2015, and approximately 12 million devices in 2018. In 2010, the weight of computer hardware items that will have reached the end of their anticipated useful lives will be approximately 35.5 thousand Mg, followed by 46 thousand Mg in 2018, i.e. about 30% more than in 2010. According to forecasts, the weight of waste computer equipment will increase by 56% during the years 2010-2014, which is due to placement of a larger volume of portable computers on the market, weighing less than average desktop computers. Figure 5-3 presents the quantity of waste computer equipment during 2008-2018.
259 000
249 000
239 000
229 000
219 000
209 000
199 000
189 000
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Qua
ntity
of s
mal
l-size
d ho
useh
old
equi
pmen
t was
te, M
g
Years
32 33
Figure 5-3 Quantity of computer hardware during 2008-2018 which has reached its anticipated life becoming waste
Source: “Zbiórka odpadów elektrycznych i elektronicznych. Część I” [Collection of Electrical and Electronic Waste. Part I]; Recykling magazine, issue 1(121)2011
5.3.4. Audiovisual equipment
About 13.3 million TV sets of various types are currently used in Poland. This quantity is expected to remain unchanged in 2018. In 2010, the weight of TVs that will have reached the end of their anticipated useful lives will be approximately 204 thousand Mg, and in 2018 it will rise to 244 thousand Mg. Furthermore, about 15.3 million radios are being operated at the moment. The quantity of these devices is expected to grow by approximately 1.5% until 2018.According to forecasts, the quantity of radio and television equipment that will become waste during 2010-2017 will increase to approximately 390 thousand Mg. The factors that will contribute to this increase will include introduction of new types of TV equipment (LCD, plasma, OLED) and radio equipment (e.g. home theatre with a radio tuner) on the market as of 2008. From 2017 onwards, weight of waste radio and television equipment will decrease to approximately 360 thousand Mg, as a consequence of manufacturing lighter equipment.
Figure 5-4 presents the quantity of waste TVs and radios during 2008-2018.
9500
8500
7500
6500
5500
4500
3500
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
60 000
50 000
40 000
30 000
20 000
10 000
0
Quantity [thousand items] Quantity [thousand items]
34 35
Figure 5-4 Quantity of radio and television equipment during 2008-2018 which has reached its anticipated life becoming waste
Source: “Zbiórka odpadów elektrycznych i elektronicznych. Część I” [Collection of Electrical and Electronic Waste. Part I]; Recykling magazine, issue 1(121)2011
5.3.5. Lighting equipment
Over 1,175 million light sources are currently used in Poland. In 2010, under the assumptions regarding useful lives, the weight of lighting equipment that will have reached end of life and become waste will be 55.6 thousand Mg. This value will be increasing during the following years, as ordinary light bulbs will be gradually replaced with energy-saving bulbs, which have higher weight. As at 2018, weight of waste lighting equipment is expected as approximately 74 thousand Mg, i.e. it should rise by more than 33%.Figure 5-5 presents the quantity of waste lighting equipment total, and the quantity of waste ordinary light bulbs during 2008-2018.
Figure 5-5 Quantity of lighting equipment in aggregate, and quantity of ordinary light bulbs during 2008-2018 which have reached its anticipated life becoming waste
Source: “Zbiórka odpadów elektrycznych i elektronicznych. Część I” [Collection of Electrical and Electronic Waste. Part I]; Recykling magazine, issue 1(121)2011
410
390
370
350
330
310
290
270
250
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Qua
ntity
[tho
usan
d M
g]
Ordinary light bulbs Energy-saving bulbs, fluorescent lamps compact lamps,other
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2000
1600
1200
800
400
0
1800
1400
1000
600
200
Qua
ntity
of w
aste
ord
inar
y lig
ht b
ulbs
[Mg]
79 000
74 000
69 000
64 000
59 000
54 000Qua
ntity
of w
aste
lighti
ng e
quip
men
t [M
g]
Years
34 35
5.3.6. Overall balance of waste during 2008-2018
Overall balance of selected groups of waste electrical and electronic equipment during 2010-2018 indicates that the weight of these items of equipment, which may qualify as waste will be 2.1-2.5 million Mg. The most significant group of this total is the category of household equipment - 82% of total WEEE weight; followed by radio and television equipment constituting 13% of total WEEE weight; and the lowest percentage by weight in the overall balance of WEEE is the group of telephone equipment - 0.06%.Figure 5-6 presents the quantities of selected groups of electrical and electronic equipment during 2009-2018 which have reached their anticipated life becoming waste
Figure 5-6 Quantities of selected groups of electrical and electronic equipment during 2009-2018 which have reached their anticipated life becoming waste
Source: “Zbiórka odpadów elektrycznych i elektronicznych. Część I” [Collection of Electrical and Electronic Waste. Part I]; Recykling magazine, issue 1(121)2011
2600
2500
2400
2300
2200
2100
2000
1900
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
Qua
ntity
[tho
usan
d M
g]
Years
36 37
Table 5-4 presents the general balance of waste produced out of selected groups of electrical and electronic equipment during 2009-2018.
Table 5-4 Balance of waste produced out of selected groups of electrical and electronic equipment during 2009-2018.
Balance of waste produced out of selected groups of electrical and electronic equipment during 2009-2018.
1) Large and small household appliances total2) Ordinary light bulbs, energy-saving light bulbs, fluorescent lamps
Source: “Zbiórka odpadów elektrycznych i elektronicznych. Część I” [Collection of Electrical and Electronic Waste. Part I]; Recykling magazine, issue 1(121)2011
Years
Computerhardware
Householdappliances
Radio and TVequipment
Mobiletelephones
Lightingequipment Total
Mg % Mg % Mg % Mg % Mg % Mg %
2009 31 154 1,6 1 614 646 82,5 256 378 13,1 1 155 0,06 54 833 2,8 1 958 167 100
2010 35 489 1,7 1 751 278 82,4 280 623 13,2 1 363 0,06 55 661 2,6 2 124 413 100
2011 41 058 1,8 1 839 197 81,7 313 771 13,9 1 829 0,08 56 573 2,5 2 252 428 100
2012 46 738 1,9 1 979 297 82,3 320 159 13,3 2 005 0,08 57 511 2,4 2 405 711 100
2013 52 604 2,2 1 948 340 81,5 330 533 13,8 2 103 0,09 58 232 2,4 2 391 812 100
2014 55 259 2,3 1 965 515 81,4 332 839 13,8 2 136 0,09 59 310 2,5 2 415 060 100
2015 49 506 2,0 1 990 183 81,2 347 484 14,2 2 170 0,09 61 573 2,5 2 450 917 100
2016 48 654 2,0 2 002 723 81,7 333 639 13,6 2 207 0,09 62 854 2,6 2 450 076 100
2017 47 440 1,9 2 021 548 80,0 388 545 15,4 2 247 0,09 66 159 2,6 2 525 939 100
2018 45 907 1,8 2 027 513 80,6 366 880 14,6 2 296 0,09 74 086 2,9 2 516 682 100
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6. WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT COLLECTION LEVELS, WEEE RECOVERY AND RECYCLING LEVELS FOR THE SPECIFIC GROUPS
As of 1 January 2008, Article 30 of the WEEE Act entered into force, concerning equipment producers’ obligation to reach specific recovery and recycling targets (list 1), without specifying the quantities which should be subjected to these processes. Therefore, one of the most important changes introduced are propositions of appropriate waste equipment collection percentages (list 2) for the specific groups, according to Annex 1 (list 3) to the WEEE Act.
List 1 Recovery and recycling targets, pursuant to Article 30 of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 223, item 1464) Equipment producers are obliged to achieve the following targets:
1. for waste equipment qualified to groups 1 and 10 in Annex 1 to the Act: a) recovery - 80% of total weight of waste equipment, and b) recycling of components, materials and substances originating from waste equipment: 75% of waste equipment; 2. for waste equipment qualified to groups 3 and 4 in Annex 1 to the Act: a) recovery - 75 % of total weight of waste equipment, and b) recycling of components, materials and substances originating from waste equipment: 65 % of waste equipment; 3. for waste equipment qualified to groups 2, 5, 6, 7 and 9 in Annex 1 to the Act: a) recovery - 70 % of total weight of waste equipment, and b) recycling of components, materials and substances originating from waste equipment: 50 % of waste equipment; 4. for used gas-discharge lamps - recycling of components, materials and sustances from used discharge lamps at a rate of 80% of overall weight of such used lamps.
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List 2 Minimum annual targets for collecti on of waste electrical and electronic equipment from households, based on Regulati on of the Minsiter of the Environment of 22 December 2008 concerning minimum annual waste equipment collecti on targets (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 236, item 1615).
Item Waste electrical and electronic equipment from households
Collecti on rate[%]
1 Large household appliances 24
2 Small household appliances 24
3 IT and telecommunicati on equipment 24
4 Audiovisual equipment 24
5Lighti ng equipment, types 2-5 40
Lighti ng equipment, type 6 24
6 Electrical and electronic tools (with the excep-ti on of large-scale stati onary industrial tools) 24
7 Toys, leisure and sports equipment 24
8 Surveillance and monitoring instruments 24
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List 3 Groups of equipment subject to the regulations of the Act, according to Annex 1 to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 223, item 1464)
According to Article 3(1.10) of the WEEE Act, equipment means such appliances which need electricity supply or presence of electromagnetic fields for proper operation, and devices which may be used for production, transmission or measurement of electric current or electromagnetic fields, designed for use at voltage levels not exceeding 1000 VAC or 1500 VDC, respectively.
Group I Large household appliances
Refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, clothes driers,dishwashers, microwave ovens, electrical heaters, powered fans,air conditioning equipment
Group II Small household appliances
Vacuum cleaners, carpet sweepers, irons, toasters, deep fryers,electrical knives, scales
Group III IT and telecommu-nication equipment
Computers, laptops (including CPU, mouse, monitor and keyboard), workstations, notebooks, notepads, pocket and office calculators, electrical and electronic typewriters, fax and telex machines, telep-hones, mobile telephones, wireless telephones
Group IV Audiovisual equipment
Radio receivers, television sets, camcorders, hi-fi equipment, sound amplifiers
Group V Lighting equipmentLighting fixtures for fluorescent lamps (except for lighting fixtures used in households), fluorescent tube lamps, compact fluorescent lamps, low-pressure sodium vapour tubes
Group VI Electrical and electronic tools Power drills, saws, sewing machines
Group VII Toys, leisure and sports equipment
Powered toy trains and racing tracks, video games, pocket video gaming consoles
Group VIII Medical instruments
Radiotherapy equipment, cardiology diagnostics equipment, lungventilation equipment, analyzers
Group IXSurveillance and monitoring instruments
Smoke detectors, heat controllers, temperature controllers
Group X Dispensing machines
Dispensing machines for hot beverages, bottles or cans with coldand hot drinks, solid products, ATMs
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7. REGISTER OF WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT RECOVERY OPERATORS AND ORGANIZATIONS
This register is an electronic database, targeted mainly at those business operators, which are subject to obligations arising from the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act. The Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection keeps a registry of business operators, which operate as: 7. Equipment producers 8. Waste equipment collectors 9. Waste handling operators 10. Recycling operators 11. Non-recycling recovery operators 12. Electrical and electronic equipment recovery organizations
Application for entry to the register of waste electrical and electronic equipment recovery operators and organizations An entry application should be submitted to the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection before commencement of business activity. Each electrical and electronic equipment recovery organization is obliged to file an application for entry to that register within 14 days of registration with the National Court Register of companies. Business operators who operate in more than one area (e.g. producers who also collect waste equipment) submit a single application for entry to the register, including data required for applications for entry to the register with respect to their activities.Applications can be filed: • in writing, • as electronic documents with secure electronic signature verified with a valid qualified certificate, as defined in the Electronic Signature Act of 18 September 2001 (Journal of Laws No. 130, item 1450, as amended).
To register with the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection, a business operator should: 1. Fill in an application appropriate for its operations. A form of application can be downloaded from www.gios.gov.pl 2. A correctly filled-in application for entry to the register should be submitted, with all required attachments, to: Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection ul. Wawelska 52/54 00-922 Warszawa 3. A return notice with registration number assigned to the given operator will be sent to it by post. 4. Company data will be published at www.rzseie.gios.gov.pl At www.gios.gov.pl, WEEE tab, business operators will find all necessary forms of applications and reports, with deadlines for their submission.
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7.1. Electrical and electronic equipment recovery organizations
An Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization is a special form of a joint-stock company which takes over other business operators’ obligations arising from the WEEE Act on a contract basis, which acts as a specialized entity which, due to its size and profession, is obliged to ensure reliable and economic fulfillment of obligations related to waste equipment collection, handling, recovery and disposal, as well as to carry out public educational campaigns. According to the data of the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection, 9 Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization were recorded in the register of electrical and electronic equipment recovery businesses and organizations as at 17 December 2010, namely: 1. ElektroEko Organizacja Odzysku Sprzętu Elektrycznego i Elektronicznego S.A. [Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization Joint-Stock Company] Registration no. - E0000007S ul. Hrubieszowska 6A 01-209 Warszawa 2. Europejska Platforma Recyklingu S.A. Poland Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization Registration no. - E0000156S ul. Kolejowa 5/7 01-217 Warszawa 3. AuraEko Organizacja Odzysku Sprzętu Elektrycznego i Elektronicznego S.A. [Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization Joint-Stock Company] Registration no. - E0000413S ul. Rzymowskiego 30 02-697 Warszawa 4. BIOSYSTEM Elektrorecykling S.A Organizacja Odzysku Sprzętu Elektrycznego i Elektronicznego S.A. [Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization Joint-Stock Company] Registration no. - E0000628S ul. Wodna 4 30-556 Kraków 5. CCR RELECTRA Organizacja Odzysku Sprzętu Elektrycznego i Elektronicznego S.A. [Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization Joint-Stock Company] Registration no. - E0008826S ul. Słomińskiego 5/42 00-195 Warszawa
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6. ELECTRO-SYSTEM Organizacja Odzysku Sprzętu Elektrycznego i Elektronicznego S.A. [Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization Joint-Stock Company] Registration no. - E0009822S ul. Traugutta 42 05-825 Grodzisk Mazowiecki 7. DROP Organizacja Odzysku Sprzętu Elektrycznego i Elektronicznego S.A. [Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization Joint-Stock Company] Registration no. - E0010115S ul. Syta 114z/1 02-987 Warszawa 8. TOM Organizacja Odzysku Sprzętu Elektrycznego i Elektronicznego S.A. [Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization Joint-Stock Company] Registration no. - E0011772S ul. Pomorska 112 70-812 Szczecin 9. IT RECOVERY Organizacja Odzysku Sprzętu Elektrycznego i Elektronicznego S.A. [Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization Joint-Stock Company] Registration no. - E0008827S ul. Łagiewnicka 54/56 91-463 Łódź, Poland
8. WEEE COLLECTION REPORTING
All registered business operators are obliged to file reports and certificates appropriate for their respective business activities to the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection. These are - for producers: 1. Report on quantity and weight of produced equipment; 2. Report on weight of waste equipment that has been collected, handled, recovered (including through recycling) and disposed; 3. Report on achieved waste equipment collection, recovery and recycling rates; 4. List of handling/processing plants constituting the equipment producer’s network of handling/processing plants; 5. A report containing information regarding due product fees, separately for the particular types of equipment defined in Annex 1 to the Act;for collectors: 1. Report on weight of waste equipment collected and forwarded to the hadling/ processing plant operator;for handling/processing plant operators: 1. Report on weight of received equipment of which the waste equipment origi nated, with types and weight of waste produced through handling/processing of waste equipment;
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for recycling operators: 1. Report on waste produced from waste equipment and recycling certificate; for non-recycling recovery operators: 1. Report on waste produced from waste equipment and non-recycling recovery certificate.
9. FINANCIAL LIABILITY
Pursuant to Article 72 of the Act of 29 July 2005 on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 223, item 1464): • A producer of equipment is liable to a fine if: • they do not place its registration number on invoices; • they do not attach information to equipment designed for households; • they do not label equipment with such marking as specified in Annex 3 to the Act (crossed dustbin symbol); • they do not file reports on quantities and weight of produced equipment, or file unreliable reports; • they do not communicate reuse or processing data concerning the equipment to a handling/processing plant operator; • they do not file a report on weight of waste equipment collected, handled, recovered, recycled and disposed, on waste equipment collection, recovery and recycling targets achieved, or they file unreliable reports; • they do not keep additional records and do not store such records for a required time, or these duties are fulfilled in an unreliable manner; • they do not submit a list of waste handling/processing plants to the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection, or they submit a list containing unreliable data. • A user is liable to a fine if: • they do not return household WEEE to a waste collector, • they place WEEE together with other types of waste. • A collector of waste equipment is liable to a fine if: • they do not carry out separate collection of WEEE, • they do not accept WEEE from households or they accept such WEEE for a consideration only, • they do not hand over WEEE to a handling/processing plant registered with the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection, • they do not communicate information about their business operations to a commune head, mayor or town president, • they do not file reports on weight of WEEE collected and handed over to a handling/processing plant, or they file unreliable reports. • A retailer or wholesaler is liable to a fine if: • they do not display information regarding WEEE collection points at their point of sale, • they sell equipment designed for households without attached information stating that placement of WEEE together with other waste is
44 45
forbidden and without appropriate labelling (crossed dustbin) as specified in Annex 3 to the Act, • they do not accept WEEE at the time of sale, or they accept such WEEE for a consideration only, • they do not hand over WEEE free of charge to a handling/processing plant or to a wholesaler. • A handling/processing plant operator is liable to a fine if: • they do not accept household WEEE from a waste equipment collector, or they accept such WEEE for a consideration only, • they do not remove hazardous substances, materials or components identified in Annex 2 to the Act, • they do not hand over waste produced through handling or processing of WEEE to a recycling, recovery or disposal operator, • they do not provide waste equipment certificates, or they issue unreliable certificates, • they do not file reports on weight of accepted waste equipment or weight of waste produced from handling/processing of used equipment, or they file unreliable reports. • A recycling operator or a non-recycling recovery operator is liable to a fine if: • they do not provide recycling certificates, or they issue unreliable certificates, • they do not provide non-recycling recovery certificates, or they issue unreiable certificates, • they do not file reports on weight of WEEE taken back and recycled or otherwise recovered, or they file unreliable reports. • Anyone who disassembles waste equipment outside a designated waste handling/processing plant is liable to a fine in the amount of PLN 2,000 to PLN 100,000.
Financial penalties for non-compliance with statutory obligations: • A producer of equipment is liable to financial penalty • in the amount of PLN 5,000 to PLN 5,000,000 if they place equipment on the market without prior registration with the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection, • in the amount of PLN 5,000 to PLN 500,000 if they do not meet the obligation to provide financial security, • in the amount of PLN 5,000 to PLN 2,000,000 if they do not communicate waste management cost information to retailers or wholesalers, • in the amount of PLN 5,000 to PLN 500,000 if they do not meet the obligation to organize and finance WEEE receiving from collectors, WEEE handling, recovery, recycling and disposal. • A retailer or wholesaler is liable to a financial penalty: • in the amount of PLN 5,000 to PLN 2,000,000 if they do not communicate waste management cost information to buyers, • in the amount of PLN 5,000 to PLN 500,000 if they sell equipment obtained from an equipment producer who has not registered with the Chief Inspector
44 45
of Environmental Protection. • An electrical and electronic equipment recovery organization is liable to a financial penalty: • in the amount of PLN 10,000 to PLN 1,000,000 if they do not assign at least 5% of their total revenues to public educational campaigns.
In determining the amount of financial penalty, the following factors are considered: degree of harmful effect of the given action, extent of default, prior activities of the entity, and in particular the weight of equipment placed on the market by the producer.
10. EDUCATION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Success of a separate WEEE collection system depends to a significant extent on improvement of local community awareness in this respect. Therefore, even a perfectly planned system will not function properly without support of co-education activities. Pursuant to the Act of 29 July 2005 on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 223, item 1464): • Business operators placing electronic and electrical equipment on the market are obliged to carry out public educational campaigns, • Each company may comply with this obligation independently, or hire a recovery organization, • Each recovery organization must assign 5% of its revenues to public educational activities, • Producers placing equipment on the market who do not employ recovery organizations for fulfilling their statutory duties are obliged to allocate at least 0.1% of their total revenues to such activities. If they decide not to organize public campaigns by themselves, they may transfer the monies due (0.1% of their revenues) to the account of the National Fund of Environmental Protection and Water Management
11. WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT COLLECTION SYSTEMS
With development of electrical and electronic equipment technologies, new equipment is produced in shorter lead times, resulting in a major increase of the volume of waste.Until the present moment, a large proportion of waste equipment would join the municipal waste stream to be finally deposited at municipal dump yards or disposed at municipal waste incineration plants. As a consequence of the need to limit the quantity of stored unprocessed waste obtained from waste electrical and electronic equipment and hazardous substances contained in such waste, necessary administrative, legal and organizational regulations had to be introduced in relation to managing waste equipment. For this reason, many European countries began to amend the existing legislation so as to enforce commencement of activities aimed at restricting landfilling of such waste in whole or in part, and recovering recyclable materials contained in such
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waste. A conclusion can be drawn from analysis of the current situation and tendencies regarding management of decommissioned electrical and electronic equipment that many EU Member States have already developed complete solutions on the basis of their respective separate legislative frameworks. To implement environmentally friendly and economically viable solutions for recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment, EU Member States have joined their efforts and established the WEEE Forum. Its mission is to gather, exchange and analyze information obtained from members regarding efficiency of existing WEEE systems on local, regional and national level. The database created in this way is used for taking appropriate decisions by authorities responsible for management of WEEE recycling systems. Business groups that associate producers, market representatives, recovery/disposal plants and local authorities have launched an initiative to resolve the issue of electronic waste. This need originated from the fact that according to Basel Action Network (BAN) Report, a certain dangerous practice is common in the United States, namely to export the majority of electronic waste to China, India or Thailand, to be recycled there in conditions which constitute a hazard for human health and the environment. Furthermore, the European Recycling Platform – ERP was founded in 2002, as a response to WEEE - Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive of the European Union. The European Recycling Platform was formed by the following corporations: Braun (currently Procter & Gamble - Braun), Electrolux, Hewlett Packard, and Sony. The mission of ERP is to implement WEEE Directive in a cost-effective manner so as to bring advantage to the companies involved and to their customers. To achieve this goal, ERP uses innovative waste management strategies and encourages implementation of the Directive on State level. All activities are consistent with the key principles which are important in terms of consumer protection and environmental protection. The activities of ERP are focused on continuous growth and improving organizational efficiency, as well as - last but not least - on introducing and maintaining a European quality level. ERP currently operates in 11 Member States: France, Spain, England, Ireland, Portugal, Austria, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Poland, and Finland. It is an association of over 1,300 members (contracting parties). The ERP Platform is the first WEEE system that operates in multiple European countries and exhibits multinational customer-focused recycling operations. The ERP Platform has already collected and handled over 260 thousand tons of electrical and electronic waste.On 14 November 2005 ERP - European Recycling Platform announced formation of a Polish joint-stock company engaged in collection and recycling of waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) in Poland. Full name - Europejska Platforma Recyklingu Polska Organizacja Odzysku Spółka Akcyjna [European Recycling Platform Polish Recovery Organization Joint-Stock Company]. The European Recycling Platform in Poland is formed by: Electrolux Poland, Hewlett-Packard, Procter & Gamble - Braun (previously Braun) and Sony, Poland.The mission of the European Recycling Platform is to recover and reuse waste electronic and electrical equipment parts produced in Poland each year. The Platform operates across the entire range required by law, including in particular: • carrying out a number of complex activities related to preparing reports from trading partners concerning quantities of electrical and electronic equipment placed by
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them on the Polish market, • organization, collection and handling of waste electrical and electronic equipment, • accounts for achievement of recovery and recycling targets prescribed by law before the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection, • initiates education for the environment, mainly on the basis of practical examples with waste equipment.EPR Poland collects WEEE via a network of Stena Sp. z o.o. outlets. Collection points are not only located in large metropolitan centres but also in small towns. Equipment is also received directly from shops where it is taken back from customers buying new products, and from service outlets.Since 1 January 2008, the primary ERP partner across Europe and in Poland has been Stena Sp. z o.o., a company responsible for collection logistics and guaranteeing proper recovery and recycling of WEEE.
Below is an analysis of the situation and tendencies in the field of managing waste electrical and electronic equipment in selected European countries, including Poland.
11.1. Austria
The issues related to waste electrical and electronic equipment are presented in the National Waste Management Plan. The information contained in this document do not illustrate the actual problems related to range diversity of such waste, significantly scattered distribution of holders (producers), and very high costs of disposal, which are due to the necessity to proceed with manual disassembly. In order to face the problems and the provisions of European Union legislative framework relating to waste electrical and electronic equipment, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Environmental Protection and Water Management has introduced a number of recommendations concerning: • collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment, its disposal and recovery of materials from this type of waste; • preventing occurrence of such waste through preference for manufacturing of equipment enabling easy repairs, disassembly and reuse of whole appliances or their parts; • maximizing the rate of recovery of non-ferrous metals; • energy recovery from remains which are unfit for recycling due to economic reasons; • preventing landfilling of unprocessed waste. However, in order to introduce the above recommendations in practice, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Environmental Protection and Water Management believes it has to implement: • separate collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment across the entire territory of Austria, • mandatory returning of waste electrical and electronic equipment to points of sale when replacing it with new items. The waste electrical and electronic equipment systems currently operating in Austria
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are based on local collection points, recycling centres, and partially on retail outlets. The following types of systems can be distinguished: 1. A collection system based on communal points monitored by local authorities 2. A collection system based on corporate retail outlets 3. A collection system based on retail outlets 4. An integrated collection system established by local authorities 5. An integrated collection system established by retail outlets. Waste is collected through a “bring-in system”. Waste equipment from households is dumped to specialized, closed containers, brought directly to local (communal) collection points, or handed over to retail outlets. The following groups of waste electrical and electronic equipment are collected: household equipment, monitors, TV sets, computers, communication equipment, films and photographic equipment, small electronic appliances. The organized collection system has proven that success of the project in terms of environmental protection and economic viability depends on the following factors: • information for local community members of the options for handing over waste equipment (time schedules, types of collected waste, collection methodology), • guaranteed acceptance of such waste equipment free of charge, • highly qualified system operation personnel, • association of WEEE collection system with other collection systems (of recyclable materials, large-sized waste, hazardous waste).Certain negative occurrences have also been observed, such as: • insufficient level of service and supervision at local (communal) collection points, • collection of only certain selected types of waste, • charging fees for taking back waste in certain areas of system operation, • unrestricted options of exporting such waste to other states, e.g. to Eastern Europe, Asia.Research conducted on existing local collection systems provided grounds for drawing the following conclusions: 1. A collection system based on communal points monitored by local authorities: Local authorities organize collection and cover all costs, including recovery/disposal costs. Advantages: the system is cost-efficient, no unfair competition. Disadvantages: no interest in implementing pro-environmental solutions. 2. A collection system based on corporate retail outlets: Waste is collected by corporate retail outlets. Collection costs are borne by relevant manufacturers/importers. The system is financed with fees charged at the time of purchase of new products. Advantages: if the system covers all manufacturers/importers, there are requisite conditions for implementing pro-environmental solutions. Disadvantages: unfair competition aspects occur in the segment of electrical and electronic household equipment (it is not possible to cover all manufacturers/importers operating on the market within the scope of the system). Adverse impact on the environment as a result of increased waste transport volume. Less recycling efficiency. The costs of system functioning are eight times higher than the costs of a system managed by local authorities.
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3. A collection system based on retail outlets: Waste is taken back by retail outlets selling new electrical and electronic equipment. The system is financed with fees charged at the time of sale of new products. Disadvantages: unfair competition aspects are present as against the market situation in neighbouring countries; no interest in implementing pro-environmental solutions; no possibility of returning (disposal, neutralization) of waste equipment items not comparable to those being purchased by the customer at the moment. The costs of system functioning are four times higher than the costs of a system managed by local authorities. 4. An integrated collection system established by local authorities: In this system, responsibilities are divided between collection organizations and recovery/disposal organizations. Local authorities bear the costs related to collection and transport of used-up waste equipment to recovery/disposal plants. Recovery/disposal plants integrated in the system framework bear the costs related to recovery or disposal of waste. The costs incurred by local authorities are covered afterwards by taxes imposed on local community members, while the costs of recovery/disposal are covered with charges paid by producers placing new equipment on the market. Advantages: the system is simple to implement Disadvantages: unfair competition aspects occur; no interest in implementing pro-environmental solutions. The costs of system functioning are twice as high as the costs of a system managed by local authorities only. 5. An integrated collection system established by retail outlets: Retail outlets establish a consortium responsible for monitoring proper functioning of the system. They are responsible for collecting waste equipment and as soon as they have gathered the required quantity, they notify the consortium. The consortium then organizes transport of waste to recovery/disposal plants. The system is financed with contributions paid to the consortium by producers placing new equipment on the market. Disadvantages: unfair competition is present; no interest in implementing proenvironmental solutions; highly complex structure of the system; necessary implementation of extensive control, contributing to higher costs. The costs of system functioning are over three times higher than the costs of a system managed by local authorities. Despite its high degree of generality, the National Waste Management Plan for Austria sets out clear ranges of responsibility for the specific system components: • manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment must implement such project solutions that will guarantee achievement of maximum rate of recycling and recovery of recyclable materials from waste produced, • retail outlets should inform their customers of the environmental aspects of electrical and electronic equipment bought by customers and provide for acceptance of used-up equipment at the time of purchasing new equipment (mandatory 1:1 acceptance ratio), • consumers (equipment users) must return used-up equipment to a collection point, cover the collection costs, transport and recovery/disposal, whether directly or indirectly (depending on the financing system adapted - the charge
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may be included in product price, or a waste tax may be paid to local authorities), • local authorities and waste management organizations reporting to the authorities are responsible for establishing a collection system that would be friendly (convenient) for consumers, and for carrying out continuous information campaigns regarding the system and harm caused by such waste, • recovery/disposal plants are responsible for handling waste recovery/disposal processes in accordance with environmental requirements.
11.2. Denmark
In Denmark, waste electrical and electronic equipment is defined as used-up radio equipment, TV sets, computers and peripherals, controls & measurement instruments, electrical household appliances and office equipment. At present, such waste is supplied to the existing general waste management system. A significant proportion of such waste is estimated to be sent to dump yards. Tests for non-ferrous metals presence in waste, such as copper and lead, have shown that 60% of all copper and 40% of lead introduced to dump yards or sent to incineration plants derive from exploited electrical and electronic equipment. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, which was enacted in 1998, imposes an obligation to process such waste in accordance with environmental protection requirements on producers and distributors. The National Waste Management Plan, which was developed in 1998, has imposed certain obligations on buyers of electronic office equipment and determined the criteria for ecological marking of products. The integrated environmental protection policy that has been implemented for many years is based on the assumption of an obligation to maximize recycling rate of equipment, particularly after the end of such equipment’s life, as early as the design phase. There are 10 companies operating at the moment in Denmark in the field of disassembling waste electrical and electronic equipment, with a total output of approximately 12 thousand Mg. An increase is anticipated in the rates of separate collection and specialized processing targeted at recovery of heavy metals. Recycling options are also considered for ash generated from thermal disposal of such waste. As a consequence of implementing the principles stipulated in the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management Act, approximately 25 thousand Mg of waste electrical or electronic equipment should be distinguished from the combined stream of waste for incineration or landfilling. Of this quantity, approximately 40% of copper weight supplied for incineration or landfilling is expected to be recovered. According to the National Waste Management Plan for Denmark, local authorities are responsible for organizing separate collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment and for making sure that such waste is directed to appropriate disposal plants.
11.3. France
The following factors were direct reasons for commencement of waste electrical and electronic equipment collection and disposal activities in France:
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– increasing volumes of such waste, due to rapid technology development,– implementation of a sustainable development policy,– enactment of WEEE Directives.An estimated volume of approx. 1.5 million Mg of waste electrical and electronic equipment was recovered or disposed (including through landfilling) in 2000 in France. The volume of such waste is expected to reach nearly 500 thousand tonnes in 2010. Therefore, the majority of institutions, businesses and their associations interested in WEEE collection, recovery and disposal signed an agreement concerning development of a waste electronic and electrical equipment collection, recovery or disposal system. The purpose of this agreement is to establish a transparent system for charging consumers with reasonable extra costs.According to that system, ultimate costs of collecting, recovery or disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment will be borne by the user of such equipment. Manufacturers, importers and distributors of such equipment will co-finance collection, recovery and disposal of such waste equipment during the initial phase, and the costs incurred by businesses will be returned to them accordingly. An organization will be established within the system framework, responsible for implementation and charging of tax for recovery and disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment. Such tax will be charged at the time of sale of new products and will guarantee equal treatment of domestic and foreign equipment sold in France. In addition, this organization will establish a WEEE collection and recovery management system for every industry sector. Such an organization named SCRELEC has already been established in the electronic, electrical and telecommunication sector FIEEC (Federation for the Electronics, Electric and Communications Industries). The mission of SCRELEC is to implement a system for collection, recovery and disposal of waste equipment produced by FIEEC members immediately after the legal framework is established. The system will include management of other enumerated in relevant acts of law waste electronic and electrical equipment, such as: computers, refrigerators, TV sets, telephones, mobile telephones, lighting equipment, controls & measuring instruments. Charging the user with WEEE recovery and disposal costs gained a critical reception among other European States, which believe that this situation will hinder implementation of innovative technologies and environment-friendly products.
11.3. France
The following factors were direct reasons for commencement of waste electrical and electronic equipment collection and disposal activities in France:– increasing volumes of such waste, due to rapid technology development,– implementation of a sustainable development policy,– enactment of WEEE Directives.An estimated volume of approx. 1.5 million Mg of waste electrical and electronic equipment was recovered or disposed (including through landfilling) in 2000 in France. The volume of such waste is expected to reach nearly 500 thousand tonnes in 2010. Therefore, the majority of institutions, businesses and their associations interested in WEEE collection, recovery and disposal signed an agreement concerning development
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of a waste electronic and electrical equipment collection, recovery or disposal system. The purpose of this agreement is to establish a transparent system for charging consumers with reasonable extra costs.According to that system, ultimate costs of collecting, recovery or disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment will be borne by the user of such equipment. Manufacturers, importers and distributors of such equipment will co-finance collection, recovery and disposal of such waste equipment during the initial phase, and the costs incurred by businesses will be returned to them accordingly. An organization will be established within the system framework, responsible for implementation and charging of tax for recovery and disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment. Such tax will be charged at the time of sale of new products and will guarantee equal treatment of domestic and foreign equipment sold in France. In addition, this organization will establish a WEEE collection and recovery management system for every industry sector. Such an organization named SCRELEC has already been established in the electronic, electrical and telecommunication sector FIEEC (Federation for the Electronics, Electric and Communications Industries). The mission of SCRELEC is to implement a system for collection, recovery and disposal of waste equipment produced by FIEEC members immediately after the legal framework is established. The system will include management of other enumerated in relevant acts of law waste electronic and electrical equipment, such as: computers, refrigerators, TV sets, telephones, mobile telephones, lighting equipment, controls & measuring instruments. Charging the user with WEEE recovery and disposal costs gained a critical reception among other European States, which believe that this situation will hinder implementation of innovative technologies and environment-friendly products.
11.4. Netherlands
A waste electrical and electronic equipment collection system has been operating in the Netherlands since 1999 and is financed on the basis of a transparent charging system. The problem of collecting and recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment has been discussed in the Netherlands for many years. The following principles have been implemented as a result of discussions: 1. The principle of producer’s responsibility, extending the range of producer’s responsibility to its products after they are used up by the user. 2. Polluter-pays principle. 3. Cost items principle related to the responsibility defined in (1) and (2). Cost items are included in the product price, and the funds are allocated to recycling projects, among others. Transposition of these principles to the legal framework has been a basis of discussion in multiple European countries. A pilot collection and recycling system was launched in 1996. The system was financed by the Ministry of the Environment, local authorities (with respect to collection), manufacturers/importers and retail outlets. Experience gained with the pilot system provided grounds for defining the objectives and ranges of responsibility in the future waste electrical and electronic equipment returning and recycling system. Legal foundations for a waste returning and recycling systems were adopted by the
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Dutch Parliament in 1998, and the system itself was launched in 1999.Local people may hand over used electrical and electronic equipment free of charge in two ways: • to retail outlets which forward such waste equipment to local collection points - landfilling, • directly to local collection points. An organized system of exchanging old equipment with new items allows for obtaining used equipment in good technical condition, which are fit for reuse as secondhand items or as a source of spare parts for maintenance purposes. Waste gathered at collection points are transported to regional centres managed by NVMP (the Dutch Association for Recycling of Metal and Electronic Products). Waste electrical and electronic equipment is sorted at regional centres into particular categories and shipped to appropriate recycling plants associated within the NVMP.Financing of the system is based on fees paid by consumers at the time of purchasing new equipment. The amount of such fees for the given category of equipment is irrespective of the trademark, weight or price of the purchased new product. The principle of paying at purchase is more preferred than payment at the time of returning used equipment. It also leads to more interest in returning used equipment than in disposing of such equipment illegally. An additional outcome of such method of payment is the ability to include very old equipment or equipment whose producers or importers are not present on the market any more in the system framework.Waste electrical and electronic equipment collection system introduced in the Netherlands, along with the method of charging fees, has brought the following results: • the recycling rate achieved was higher than required, • operating costs were lower than expected, which consequently allowed for a reduction of fees.Further development of the Dutch system is focused on implementing proenvironmental solutions, increasing the rate of recovery, and introduction of an environmental efficiency concept, defined as the proportion of environmental gains to costs.
11.5. Germany
In Germany, waste electronic and electrical equipment from households is collected in several regions, by municipal waste management departments (pilot projects pend-ing) and by regular service structures. It has been noticed that the most popular form of collection is the returning of used large appliances at the time of their replacement with new items. In certain regions, so-called end user waste collection system has been introduced. It involves gathering waste electrical and electronic equipment from inhabitants: • upon request (this applies in particular to large-sized equipment), • with the use of existing large-sized waste collection systems, • with the use of yellow bags within a dual system, for disposal of small waste appliances, • with the use of publicly available bins placed in visible locations, for disposal
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of small waste appliances. The system of waste supply by end user is organized by communal collection points, service outlets, points of sale, or with similar solutions to those existing in the chemical waste collection system. It has been found in the course of observations that the success of activities related to collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment is largely determined by co-existence of several collection systems operating in parallel, as well as accepting waste equipment free of charge, and the quantity and quality of information communicated to local people. In 1990, producers established a Common German System (DSD) operating as a recovery organization. DSD provides recovery and disposal of products traded in the territory of Germany, or manufactured under a licence. The products are labelled with a Green Dot System mark. Manufacturers pay a licensing fee for using the mark. The fees are designed for collection, transport and recycling of waste.
11.6. Switzerland
Switzerland has a long tradition of system solutions for waste management. The ultimate goal of all activities undertaken in this respect is to recover recyclable materials from waste. Recycling is considered the primary solution of the waste management issue, and landfilling is treated as the last resort. Since 1 January 2000, landfilling of unprocessed waste has been illegal in Switzerland. As a result of pressure from users of electrical and electronic equipment, manufacturers such as IBM, HP, DEC and CANON have established their proprietary systems for collection of waste electronic equipment, along with systems operated by recycling operators specializing in such waste. Despite the increasing quantities of waste, users would still encounter problems with returning waste equipment to different suppliers. This was the main reason for implementing a unified system, followed by establishment of a Recycling and Disposal Convention. Every manufacturer and importer may voluntarily accede to the Convention.At the moment, users are responsible for covering the costs of recycling so-called “white goods” (household electrical and electronic equipment). There is also a system developed by SWICO (Swiss Association for Information, Communications and Organization Technology) operating in Switzerland, with approximately 200 corporate members. The SWICO organization is based on the following assumptions: • producers/importers transfer their responsibility to the system, • all consumers may give away used electrical and electronic equipment without any extra charges, • the process of waste recovery/disposal is carried out in the territory of Switzerland and controlled by a neutral organization, • the system is financed by consumers and operates as a non-profit organization, • responsibilities are clearly defined. The manufacturer is responsible for financing handling/processing of waste produced from its own equipment and from waste equipment by other manufacturers when exchanged for new equipment manufactured by the given manufacturer. There are three possible variants for returning used equipment in Switzerland:
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• returning to manufacturers, • returning to points of sale, • returning to SWICO collection points. There is no central State organization in Switzerland which would guarantee achievement of appropriate waste equipment processing targets; therefore, the Environment Committee of the SWICO has developed certain criteria for recovery/disposal plants. On the basis of such criteria, SWICO grants licences to businesses and licensed businesses cooperate with disassembling plants where waste equipment is disassembled, hazardous substances are removed, and the remains are prepared for further processing. The scope of control extends to all streams of materials, namely materials directed to reuse, materials directed to processing, and materials directed to landfilling in dump yards as useless waste. The key principle followed by the system is that all materials and products should be handled and processed in the territory of Switzerland. The system is financed with the so-called “recycling fee”. This method of financing is the most acceptable option for companies, consumers, representatives of market players, and local authorities. The consumer pays a fee - so-called ARF - at the time of buying a new device. This fee is transferred via manufacturers to the account of SWICO. The funds thus gathered are used for covering ongoing costs of recycling, logistics, salaries for collection point personnel, monitoring and administration. It is observed that consumers tend to prefer payment at the time of buying new equipment, while they would rather not accept any fees charged at the time of returning old equipment.
11.7. Sweden
The basis for waste electrical and electronic equipment management in Sweden is the “Regulation on Duties of Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturers” (SFS 2000:208), which authorizes consumers to return the same quantity of old equipment items while buying new equipment provided that the old items have the same functions as the newly purchased products. Manufacturers are obliged to accept old equipment returned to them free of charge and to handle such equipment accordingly. Collected waste electrical and electronic equipment must be handled and processed in proper conditions. Moreover, manufacturers are obliged to: • keep consumers informed of the possibility of returning old equipment free of charge, • consult with municipal/local authorities on the locations of old equipment colection points, • submit information necessary for monitoring purposes to the SEA (Swedish Environmental Agency).In order to achieve the goals set in the SFS 2000:208 Regulation, El-Kretsen AB organization has been established by 23 industry associations of manufacturers acting as founders and owners. These associations represent all the involved manufacturers of computers and peripherals, household appliances, radio and television appliances, and other popular electronic devices, as well as lighting equipment, medical instruments,
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laboratory devices, etc. El-Kretsen AB is a waste electrical and electronic equipment collection, recovery and disposal service provider.The system is financed with fees charged at the time of sale of new products. Manufacturers associated within the organization are obliged to submit reports on their sales volumes to El-Kretsen. Manufacturers belonging to this organization are estimated to supply over 90% of all electrical and electronic equipment to the Swedish market.El-Kretsen has an organized nationwide system of accepting electrical and electronic waste, which enables convenient collection, recovery and disposal. All gathered equipment is transported to highly specialized disassembly stations, which are certified by and are parties to contracts with El-Kretsen. Modules (components) and hazardous substances are removed and sent to appropriate certified final recovery/disposal plants or incineration plants. Metals and other recyclable materials are reused, while recovery of such materials as fabrics, rubber, plastics and wood is targeted at energy producing purposes. All contracted carriers, disassembly stations, recycling and processing plants operate in compliance with the Swedish environmental laws. El-Kretsen regularly monitors the system, particularly with respect to transport, storage and processing of collected electrical and electronic waste. It also carries out information campaigns for consumers, households and businesses, communicating their right to return old equipment and the places where such equipment will be taken back from them. El-Kretsen is recognized by environmental protection supervision institutions. Membership is voluntary. Every manufacturer is able to organize and establish its own proprietary system of accepting old equipment. However, establishment of an individual system is very expensive and requires good knowledge of Swedish environmental legislation.
11.8. Poland
Management of waste electrical and electronic equipment in Poland is governed by the Act of 29 July 2005 on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 223, item 1464), with secondary legislation. The WEEE Act imposes an obligation to establish a WEEE collection, recovery and recycling system on producers that place electrical and electronic equipment on the market. Requisite level of awareness and motivation among all groups of system participants is also necessary for effective functioning of the system. Building awareness in the field of appropriate disposal of WEEE is mainly necessary for consumers, whether individual or corporate, which constitute first links of the system chain. Consumers must be aware of their rights and obligations arising from the Act and must be motivated not to dispose of WEEE to regular waste bins but rather to return such waste to specified collection points. Communes are responsible for organization of such collection points. However, even if a WEEE management system is developed perfectly in terms of logistics, it will not work properly without a proper level of awareness in the local community and environmental knowledge, followed by willingness to take action among the people. Waste electrical and electronic equipment furnished for processing is disassembled and the materials thus obtained are forwarded for recovery and recycling. Separate collection, disassembly in specialized handling/processing plants, and neutralization of hazardous substances or elements protect the environment from pollution.
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Recovery of materials and reuse of such materials for production of new equipment contributes to a strong reduction of degree of utilization of natural resources, and to lower costs of technology.The party which initiated and organized this form of waste electrical and electronic equipment collection is ElektroEko - the largest Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization, which fulfills the duties of its clients according to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act of 29 July 2005, namely: • it organizes an efficient and effective waste electrical and electronic equipment management system, which is a system of collecting, taking back, handling and processing, recovery, recycling and disposal of electrical waste, • it submits appropriate reports and accounts to the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection, • it carries out educational activities to promote the idea of separate collection of WEEE.On the basis of the experience gained by ElektroEko in establishing WEEE collection infrastructure, with the clearly defined mission, the company is able to present a specific cooperation offer in building Authorized ElektroEko Collection Points (so-called APZ) infrastructure across Poland. The purpose of establishing the APZ is to build independent waste electrical and electronic equipment collection structures in individual communes and towns. The APZ is a means of creating a generally accessible system for consumers as the most important link in the system chain, independent of sales structures. As a result of systematic implementation of this Project, a nationwide network of ElektroEko-authorized collection points is being developed in Poland, which meet all the requirements imposed by the Act. Authorized Collection Points are established at locations which are convenient for the local people. They are run by trained personnel who will provide assistance in the process of accepting waste equipment. Collection points may be permanent or temporary. At regular APZ collection points, the operator must accept electrical waste from households for at least five days a week. Operators running temporary APZ points are obliged to carry out periodical collection of waste equipment (at least once every month). Private inhabitants as well as institutions may return waste equipment to all Authorized ElektroEko Collection Points. During the initial phase, ElektroEko enters into an agreement with the given town or commune. Then it signs a contract with a third party company (APZ operator), i.e. a municipal company or a waste management company operating in the given territory. A processing/handling business may also be the operator. When commencing cooperation, the operator agrees to meet the requirements set by ElektroEko, including those related to effective transport of waste equipment, marking of collection points according to ElektroEko standards, and compliance with contract terms. ElektroEko undertakes to provide financing of the entire project for operators and equipment of authorized collection points within the framework of the agreement. ElektroEko also participates in various environmental events for the local community and pursues educational programmes. The organization prepares leaflets, posters, stickers and educational brochures, which are then distributed in public offices, residential buildings, WEEE collection points, and shops.Figure 11-1 presents a waste electrical and electronic equipment recovery system with cash flows.
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Figure 11-1 Waste electrical and electronic equipment recovery system with cash flows
Source: www.elektroeko.pl
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Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Organization called DROP S.A. also acts on behalf of its customers in fulfilling their obligations arising from the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act: • it organizes an effective and cost-efficient system of waste equipment colletion through a network of its branch offices, which guarantees taking such waste back from the collection points, handling and processing, recovery, recycling and disposal, • it submits appropriate reports and accounts to the Chief Inspector of Environ- mental Protection, • it engages in educational projects to promote the concept of separate collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment.The key objective of its activities is to establish and expand a waste equipment collection, take-back, handling, processing, recovery, recycling and disposal system, as well as environmental education. Similar tasks are performed by the organization called AURAEKO, which provides reliable service to companies operating on the Polish market through minimizing the costs incurred by these companies. It collects waste electrical and electronic equipment on behalf of producers and ships such waste to a handling/processing plant where it is disassembled into component parts. Afterwards, the components obtained through such processing are transferred to recycling operators, while items that cannot be reused otherwise, including hazardous substances.A significant part in promoting the WEEE collection system is played by REMONDIS Electrorecycling which, through its educational activities and creating a financing mechanism of this system, contributes to its rapid development. On the basis of international experience gained by REMONDIS, various municipal waste and industrial waste processing and disposal installations are operated in Poland. The network of equipment includes sorting lines, substitute fuel production equipment, document shredders, and hazardous waste warehouses. To care for the environment, REMONDIS collects and handles waste electrical and electronic equipment on its systems in Europe. The mission of the Company is to build and develop various systems of collecting waste equipment from inhabitants (so-called B2C stream), to cover the entire territory of Poland with the collection network, and to build the most advanced waste electrical and electronic equipment handling and processing plant in Poland. REMONDIS is a pioneer in development of new waste processing and materials recovery methods. REMONDIS plants are fitted with automatic TV and monitors, cooling equipment, large and smallsized waste processing systems. REMONDIS systems meet the most stringent technology standards. The process itself is automated and monitored during every phase. In the case of recycling refrigerators, it is worth emphasizing that not only freons from the cooling system, but also those from refrigerator casings are captured and recovered. After receiving, refrigerators are initially disassembled on a special process line. During the same phase, oil is removed from the cooling system through suction and a compressor is removed. Afterwards, the remaining parts of the appliance are crushed in a hermetic mill, and fre-ons released from the housing are captured and recovered in a special system. The entire process is neutralized with nitrogen to avoid generating explosive concentrations of gases.
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Materials obtained with this method, such as ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastics and polystyrene, are highly valuable goods for recycling plants due to their high level of purity, exceeding 95%.REMONDIS also provides services to communes, cooperatives and inhabitants in the field of collection of waste electrical and electronic equipment, i.e.: • travelling collection system, • establishment of local collection points for inhabitants, • taking equipment back directly from individual customers,as well as services for businesses, such as: • taking equipment back from offices and institutions, shops and shopping chains, • disassembly of equipment directly on the customer’s site, • taking medical equipment back from hospitals and health care establishments, • photographic documentation of the equipment handling process. It can be concluded on the basis of experiences gathered by other European States, equipment flow will gather in two main points, i.e. at points of sale (approximately 48% by weight) and in communal or municipal collection points (approximately 45% by weight). Therefore, the company was aiming at balanced development of both systems. The most important factors emphasized in the course of cooperation with points of sale included rapid and convenient service. Equipment is accepted within not more than five days of receiving an order from anywhere in Poland. In addition, orders are executed if the minimum cargo lot size is achieved, i.e. at approximately 150-200 kg. In the second case, the company’s system is based on a network of its own collection points (35 departments in Poland) and collection points operated by its partners. REMONDIS has developed four collection systems. The first of these is based on local collection points to which the people will bring their WEEE directly. The second system consists of mobile collection points, i.e. especially marked vehicles which are parked according to predetermined schedule in specific town districts or communes. Schedules are published in local press and at the municipal or communal office’s website. The third system is based on closed containers located at housing cooperatives. The last system involves taking WEEE back directly from houses and flats.
12. WEEE management in Norway
12.1. Norwegian institutions engaged in waste management process
Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (Climate and Pollution Agency)The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority is an institution at the Ministry of the Environment, which is responsible for handling such affairs as those related to waste electrical and electronic equipment, or hazardous substances (WEEE, RoHS). It is the authority responsible for certification of companies intending to access the take-back/collection system.The Pollution Control Authority has certain executive obligations with regard to: 1. Instructions and control relating to counteracting of industrial pollution, 2. Heavy pollution,
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3. Chemical substances and products, 4. Monitoring air and water pollution.The Climate and Pollution Agency is authorized to give instructions to the Department of Environmental Affairs and the Svalbard governor’s office regarding such issues as pollution, waste and products.The key strategies for achieving the Agency’s goals are: 1. To focus on preventive environmental protection and to actively use subsidies to increase efforts in respect of international cooperation. 2. To change executive authorities’ procedures through imposing requirements which are easier to control and more long-term, as well as transfer of controlling powers towards dedicated control systems. 3. To contribute to ensuring accountability and implementation of measures aimed at achieving environmental goals by communes and other government authorities. 4. To improve environmental awareness and to report the outcomes with reference to environmental goals. 5. To cooperate with the Nature Protection Directorate in order to strengthen its importance as an authority giving instructions to districts. 6. To develop the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority as an organization.
The Ministry of the Environment of NorwayThe Norwegian Ministry of the Environment is responsible for implementing the Norwegian government’s environmental protection policy. Irrespective of initiation, development and pursuit of its obligations through the use of its own instruments, the Ministry of the Environment plays an important part in formation of sectoral departments at national level.International cooperation is indispensable to meet the regional and global environmental challenges.
Environmental Protection DirectorateThe Environmental Protection Directorate is an advisory and executive body of the Ministry of the Environment, responsible for environmental management issues. The Directorate has interdisciplinary specialized knowledge in the field of ecology, land management and recreation. It also serves as a data centre for information related to the environment and biology. The Nature Protection Directorate supports the goal of maintaining biodiversity, protection and enforcement of public rights.
The key strategies for achieving the Directorate’s goals are: 1. To safeguard high biodiversity of the natural environment and landscape in Norway and to maintain the natural production capacities. 2. To make sure that long-term utilization of natural resources is considered in association with planned utilization of land and water courses, and plans affecting the natural environment. 3. Promoting the options of employing nature for recreation, training and collection purposes. 4. Acquiring and promoting knowledge as a basis of active and preventive man- agement of natural resources.
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12.2. General description of WEEE management in Norway
The business sector is responsible for produced waste in Norway. Manufacturers and importers of certain products, such as cars or electrical goods, are responsible for collection and proper handling of these products at the end of their useful life. Communes are responsible for waste produced by consumers, and businesses are given proper opportunities to dispose of waste accordingly.
The majority of electrical and electronic devices contain hazardous substances, such as: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polybrominated ether (PBDE).
According to valid laws, WEEE may be delivered free of charge to a municipal waste handling/processing plant or to distributors that sell similar products. Distributors are obliged to take back such WEEE. Importers and manufacturers of respective products are charged with costs of collecting and processing WEEE. Companies manufacturing electrical and electronic appliances or importing such equipment to Norway are in charge of proper WEEE management. Producers enter into agreements with the Ministry of the Environment, whereunder producers are obliged to achieve WEEE collection targets of at least 80% and to take actions in order to minimize any problems that may occur in relation to WEEE management.
Renas AS and Elretur, companies engaged in WEEE collection, were established with the purpose of handling non-consumer management of electronic equipment and household appliances. Other WEEE collectors were set up irrespective of any arrangements with authorities. These include: Eurovironment AS and Ragn Sells Elektronikkgjenvinning AS.
As of 1 July 2007, WEEE collectors must be licensed by the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority. Licences are issued on the basis of a certification system (defined in Annex to Chapter 1 of the Waste Act). Every importer and manufacturer of electrical and electronic equipment must be a member of a specialized waste collector.
12.3. WEEE collection in Norway
Since the launch of the waste collection system in Norway in 1999, WEEE collection rates have increased as shown on the figure below. 153,000 tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment were collected in 2009, which corresponds to approximately 32 kg per inhabitant, i.e. seven times more than expected by the EU.
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Figure 12-1 WEEE collection rate in Norway during 1999-2009: total amount collected and collected per person
Source: http://www.environment.no/
12.4. WEEE processing in Norway
After collection, waste equipment is disassembled (often manually) at special plants. Components containing hazardous substances are treated as hazardous waste and recovered as far as possible. About 90% of all collected WEEE is reused, recycled or recovered for energy. The remaining 10% of collected WEEE is landfilled or incinerated without energy recovery.In 2002, the EU adopted the new WEEE Directive. Chapter 1 of the Waste Act integrates these provisions accordingly. The amended regulations entered into force on 1 July 2006. The most significant changes are the following: 1. Take-back companies must be licensed by the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority. 2. Every manufacturer and importer must be a member of a WEEE collection company. 3. Establishing a WEEE register, where manufacturers of all types of WEEE are recorded.
12.5. Systematic WEEE collection solutions and WEEE register in Norway
The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority has established a WEEE Register (EE-registeret) to identify domestic manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment. The WEEE Register contains guidelines relating to their rights and obligations, together with a list of domestic manufacturers or importers who do not meet the requirements of the Waste Regulation, and reports to the Norwegian Pollution Control
180000
160000
140000
120000
100000
80000
60000
40000
20000
0
Total amount collected (tonnes)
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Collected per person (kg)
WEEE Collection rate in Norway
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Authority. In addition, the WEEE Register receives and compares data from WEEE collectors to develop statistics of collection, management and quantities of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The functions of the WEEE Registers are: 1. To collect data from the Customs and Excise Directorate in order to identify those domestic manufacturers and importers who fail to meet their respective obligations, and inform these entities of their obligations; 2. To gather data from take-back systems concerning quantities of received and handled waste electrical and electronic equipment; 3. To determine the quantities of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the Norwegian market; 4. To provide information about valid laws to manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment.To ensure separate collection, sorting and handling of electrical and electronic equipment, Norwegian waste recycling laws contain separate regulations concerning waste electrical and electronic equipment. Proper management of electrical and electronic waste is the responsibility of the producer, i.e. companies that manufacture electrical and electronic equipment or import such equipment to Norway. Responsibility for actual collection and disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment is on WEEE collectors.
12.6. Duties of Norwegian system participants
Responsibilities of manufacturers and importers All producers or distributors who manufacture or import electrical and electronic equipment to Norway are obliged to finance collection and processing of waste electrical and electronic equipment through: 1. Membership in a jointly financed take-back organization, approved by the Norwe- gian Pollution Control Authority (membership in a jointly financed take-back organ- ization means that a domestic manufacturer/importer signs a service purchasing agreement and assigns the majority of competences meeting the requirements of the Waste Regulation to the take-back company); 2. Membership in an individually financed take-back organization, approved by the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (membership in an individually financed take-back organization means that the domestic manufacturer/importer is responsible for an individual producer. It means that the domestic manufacturer/importer is obliged to finance, collect and handle its products as soon as these products end up as waste).Domestic manufacturers/importers are also obliged to provide information about discarding of waste electrical and electronic equipment with other types of waste being forbidden. The scope of such information should include a list of waste collection points and should indicate that the given type of equipment is covered by the take-back/collection system.The scope of application of the Norwegian legislation is more extensive than the WEEE Directive. All electrical and electronic equipment is covered by the national Waste Regulation.
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WEEE categories and their descriptions in Norway
CategoryDescription
1. Large household appliances
1a. Refrigerators and freezers
1b. Other large household appliancesOther large household appliances include: microwave ovens, washing machines, air conditioners and other appliances similar in terms of type and size.
2. Small household appliances
Small household appliances include: vacuum cleaners and other cleaning equipment, irons, coffee percola-tors, toasters, shavers, clocks and other appliances si-milar in terms of type and size.
3. IT and telecommunication equipment
3a. Computer monitors
3b. Other IT and telecommunication equipment
Other IT and telecommunication equipment includes: computers, printers, copiers, calculators, telephones, mobile telephones, clocks/watches and other applian-ces similar in terms of type and size.
4. Audiovisual equipment
4a. TV
4b. Other audiovisual equipment Other consumer appliances include: radios, cameras, sound amplifiers, musical instruments, and other appliances similar in terms of type and size.
5. Lighting Lighting includes: lighting fixtures, lamps, and othersimilar appliances.
6. Light sources These include: discharge tubes, fluorescent light bands, light bulbs, small energy sources and othersimilar equipment.
7. Electrical and electronic toolsElectrical and electronic tools include: drills, grinders, welding machines, sprinklers, lawnmowers and other products or appliances of similar kind.
8. Toys, leisure and sports equipmentToys, leisure and sports equipment include: powered toy trains, video games, gaming equipment, and other appliances of similar kind.
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The three latter categories are not contained in WEEE Directive; but the same obligations apply to them, according to Norwegian legislation.
Obligations of WEEE collectorsThe Waste Act imposes certain obligations on companies involved in WEEE collection. These obligations apply to collection businesses financed collectively and individually.All waste collectors should: 1. Register as separate entities (According to Act No. 15 of 3 June 1994 concerning the Central Coordination Registry for legal persons), 2. Obtain a licence from the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority, 3. Make sure that waste is transported, handled and disposed of in compliance with valid laws, 4. Communicate information that waste electrical and electronic equipment should not be discarded together with other types of waste, 5. Cover the costs related to WEEE report, 6. Record the following data in the WEEE report: a) on producers who have become members or have ceased to be members of WEEE collection organizations, b) on total quantity of waste electrical and electronic equipment that has been collected and processed, c) on the quantity of reused electrical and electronic equipment, d) on electrical and electronic equipment production and export volumes by members of the collection organization.
10. Surveillance and monitoring instruments
10a. Smoke detectors
10b. Other surveillance and monitoring instruments
Other surveillance and monitoring instruments include: heat controllers, thermostats, devices, device controls and other similar appliances.
11. Dispensers Dispensers include automatic food and drink dispensers, coin dispensers and other machines that supply products automatically
12. Cables and conduitsCables and conduits, wire insulation, fibre optic cables, or other similar cables and conduits.
13. Electrotechnical apparatusElectrotechnical apparatus includes: lifts, escalators, elevators and other similar equipment.
14. Fixed HVAC equipment.Fixed HVAC equipment includes: water heaters, various types of air handling units, heat pumps, thermometres and other similar fixed items of equipment.
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Responsibilities of jointly financed waste collection organizationsIn jointly financed waste collection organizations, one or more domestic manufacturers/importers finance the handling of waste in proportion to their respective shares in the market of electrical and electronic equipment and to overall volume of waste electrical and electronic equipment produced during the same year.In addition, all waste collectors should: 1. Make sure that waste is taken back from distributors and communes free of charge (take-back of waste electrical and electronic equipment is free of charge from waste collection businesses), 2. Have cash available on demand as a security of the organization being able to meet its members’ obligations, 3. Make sure that collected waste is processed in compliance with the requirements of § 18/01 of the Waste Act, 4. Gather and receive such part of total collected waste electrical and electronic equipment that corresponds to the members’ share in overall supply of goods on the same territory.
Responsibilities of individually financed waste collection organizationsAt an individually financed waste collection organization, one or more domestic manufacturers/importers finance the handling of their waste or products. At the moment, there are no individually financed waste collection organizations in Norway. Responsibilities of individually financed waste collection organizations: 1. Individually financed collection organizations are responsible for all electrical and electronic equipment manufactured by each of their respective members in Norway or imported by members to Norway after such domestic manufacturers/ importers have become members of the collection organization. 2. WEEE collection companies are obliged to establish a collection system ensuring that electrical and electronic equipment for which the company is responsible returns to the take-back company after use.The take-back company may not require distributors or communes to sort waste electrical and electronic equipment or to supply waste equipment of a specific brand, or to place such waste to the take-back company.
Rights and obligations of consumers 1. Consumers may supply all types of WEEE free of charge to distributors selling products of the same type. 2. Individual consumers may also deliver WEEE free of charge to collection points.
Rights and obligations of businesses 1. Businesses and users are obliged to store and manage WEEE until further receipt. 2. Take-back company may offer to accept equipment free of charge from com panies and public users, as per specified guidelines 3. Businesses and private users may also supply all WEEE to distributors in exchange for new products of the same type and in the same quantity.
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4. Businesses and private users may also supply all WEEE to communal collection points, for a consideration.
Rights and obligations of communes 1. Communes are obliged to take back all WEEE from consumers free of charge. 2. Communes are obliged to accept all WEEE from businesses; but may charge certain fees for that. 3. Communes are obliged to inform the inhabitants and businesses of their obligation to accept WEEE in their information materials. 4. Communes are obliged to store and transport WEEE accordingly for further collection by take-back companies.
12.7. Main operators on the Norwegian market
All take-back/collection companies, whether financed jointly or individually, must be licensed by the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority. To obtain a licence, the organization must present a set of documents confirming that certain criteria are met. This should be documented through a certification process. Companies cover all costs related to certification and regular reviews.To meet the requirements set out in the Waste Regulation, domestic manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment may accede to a jointly financed collection organization. List of jointly financed waste collection organizations is presented below.
The Norwegian Pollution Control AUthority has approved the following companies:
Elretur AS - NorwayElretur AS is a company operating nationwide in the field of collection, recycling and environmentally friendly processing of waste electrical and electronic equipment. According to the laws and regulations concerning handled/processed WEEE, manufacturers and importers in Norway are accountable for their environmental impact. The largest
Elretur AS Postboks 6454 EtterstadN-0605 Oslo Norway
Tel: (+47) 23 06 07 40Fax: (+47) 23 06 07 41E-mail: [email protected]: http://www.elretur.no/
Eurovironment AS, Snarøyveien 73N-1367 Snarøya Norway
Tel: (+47) 800 82 090Fax: (+47) 67 59 10 88E- mail: [email protected]: http://www.eurovironment.no
RENAS AS Postboks 268 SkøyenN-0212 Oslo Norway
Tel: (+47) 22 13 52 00Fax: (+47) 22 12 15 07E- mail: [email protected]: http://www.renas.no/
Ragn-Sells Elektronikkretur AS
Postboks 49N-2001 Lillestrøm Norway
Tel: (+47) 67 97 10 10Fax: (+47) 67 97 46 70E- mail: [email protected]: http://www.ragnsells.no
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trade unions related to the sector accepted responsibility for development of a nati onal take-bak/collecti on system, through an agreement between organizati ons and the Ministry of the Environment. Elretur was established to ensure opti mized practi cal implementati on of that agreement. The Agreement specifi es WEEE collecti on target as 80%. Elretur is owned by: Consumer Electronics Trade Foundati on (30%), Norske Elektroleverandørers Landsforening - NEL (30%), ICT Norway (30%), and Abelia (10%). Elretur AS performs its acti viti es together with subcontractors all over Norway. The company has signed contracts with operators concerning joint collecti on and handling of electronic waste. These contracts are executed and prepared so as to render the operators responsible for waste produced in their respecti ve counti es. All operators are certi fi ed for compliance according to ISO-9001 and ISO 14001, and they focus on health, safety and the natural environment in their acti viti es.
Contractors hired by Elretur - take-back/collecti onSource: htt p://ewasteguide.info/fi les/ElRetur_2006_EnvReport2005.pdfContractors hired by Elretur - take-back/collecti on
Collecti onStena Milja AS: (+47) 80 04 04 50
Elektra Miljatransport: (+47) 74 83 40 20
Veidekke Gjenvinning ASTelemark: (+47) 33 06 60 60Rogaland: (+47) 51 43 58 00
Retura AS: (+47) 37 07 66 00
Østbø AS: (+47) 75 50 09 00
WEEE Recycling ASVia Berstad Transport AS: (+47) 74 83 40 00
O. Tenden Transport AS: (+47) 57 87 45 30
Subcontractors– collecti on 2006-2009
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Contractors hired by Elretur - handling/processing Source: htt p://ewasteguide.info/fi les/ElRetur_2006_EnvReport2005.pdf
Eurovironment AS - NorwayEurovironment fulfi lls producers’ obligati ons imposed on importers and manufacturers of all categories of electrical and electronic products. Eurovironment is certi fi ed and approved as a take-back/collecti on company in Norway by the Norwegian Polluti on Control Authority (SFT), a directorate at the Ministry of the Environment. The soluti on off ered by Eurovironments refers to the Regulati on concerning collecti on and recycling of all types of electrical and electronic waste. The company off ers collecti on and recycling of waste, free of charge, from distributors, private and municipal companies, and landfi lls. Eurovironment off ers a comprehensive range of services related to disposal of waste products: collecti on, transport, receiving, sorti ng, registrati on, safe data removal, clean-up, treatment, reuse, resale, crushing, and recycling.
RENAS AS - NorwayRENAS is a non-profi t organizati on operati ng as the administrator of the nati onal system of collecti ng and fi nal management of discarded electrical and electronic waste. Importers and manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment agree, as members
PrzetwarzanieStena Milja ASSorum
Elektrogjenw inning Norge ASVaridalGjevikCooling appliances go ta Stena Milja ASTV/monitors go ta Sims Mirec in Sweden
Norsk Metallretur ASTensbergRevetalSkienKristiansandStavanger
WEEE Recycling ASDysand
Ostbe ASFauske
● Treatment plants
Subcontractors– treatment 2006-2009
PrzetwarzanieStena Milja ASSorum
Elektrogjenw inning Norge ASVaridalGjevikCooling appliances go ta Stena Milja ASTV/monitors go ta Sims Mirec in Sweden
Norsk Metallretur ASTensbergRevetalSkienKristiansandStavanger
WEEE Recycling ASDysand
Ostbe ASFauske
● Treatment plants
Subcontractors– treatment 2006-2009
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of RENAS, to comply with national legislation concerning electrical and electronic waste. Members pay recycling fees for placing new products on the Norwegian market. These fees are then used for financing collection of waste products for end-of-life processing. On behalf of its members, RENAS sends annual reports on the quantities of collected electrical and electronic waste to the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority. RENAS AS was established by Elektroforeningen, an organization of Norwegian manufacturers, agents and wholesalers of electrical equipment, and Norsk Industri, an association of manufacturers of electrical equipment. It is a joint property of these two commercial organizations. As at the end of 2008, over 2100 businesses were associated within RENAS.
Ragn-Sells Elektronikkretur AS - NorwayRagn-Sells Elektronikkretur AS was established in 1966. Ragn-Sells is a Swedish company which operates nationwide as a service provider to households, municipal and industrial clients. The company also has its offices in Denmark, Estonia, Norway, Latvia, and Poland. Moreover, it runs consulting projects in Europe, Asia and South America.
13. EFFECTIVNES OF WEEE MANAGEMENT IN POLAND
The amendment of the WEEE Act did not eliminate all problems related to waste electrical and electronic equipment management. The Act expands the scope of entities authorized and obliged to collect waste electrical and electronic equipment. New categories were introduced, namely scrap yards, handling/processing plants, and servicing points. The most promising aspect in terms of anticipated significant growth of WEEE collection rates was the incorporation of scrap yards in the waste equipment management system regulated by the Act. Initially, the draft legislation promoted by the government was based on the assumption of treating all scrap yards as waste collectors; however, during the works at the lower house of Parliament (Sejm), this definition was restricted only to those scrap yards which are licensed as waste electrical and electronic equipment collectors. A scrap yard intending to collect WEEE has to register with the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection and to file reports on the weight of collected waste. However, scrap yards as such do not have to obtain an entry in the registry of the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection. Scrap yards (only those licensed as WEEE collectors, which are registered with the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection) should accept waste equipment from consumers free of charge, without limitations as to quantity. They may not treat used washing machines, refrigerators or dishwashers as waste or disassemble them in improper conditions. Incorporation of scrap yards is expected to restrict the grey zone of unregistered electrical waste flow and to guarantee proper and safe handling of this waste. Analysis of data contained in yearly reports prepared by the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection, concerning the functioning of the waste electrical and electronic equipment management system, does not fully illustrate the market realities. The reasons of such inconsistencies are certain imperfections of the reporting system, as mentioned in the reports of the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection. Not all entities obliged to register with the system and to file regular reports according to
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the Act actually fulfill their reporting obligations, and a certain proportion of reports received by the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection is incomplete or filled out in an unreliable manner. Moreover, not all entities obliged to register in the system have actually registered. Another reason is an anomaly in the WEEE collection and han-dling system functioning, where official statistics are distinguished from actual facts. The most important problem of the Polish WEEE management system is the creation of false waste handling documentation, commonly referred to as documents trade. This practice relies on acknowledging processing of different types of waste than actually processed. The actual quantity and type of WEEE handled in Poland is in fact not known. The primary goal of the amendment of the WEEE Act was to provide appropriate conditions for achieving the WEEE collection targets defined in the EU Directive, i.e. 4 kg per year per inhabitant. Only 2.7 kg of waste equipment was actually collected on a per capita basis in 2009 in Poland. Binding legal regulations oblige equipment produ-cers to collect 24% of such quantity of waste equipment which they had placed on the market a year before. In order to achieve the goal of approaching the EU requirements, a consulting process is taking place at the Ministry of the Environment on rising the waste equipment collection target to 39%. In addition, the Act sets out an obligation to account for the weight of collected equipment in WEEE qualification groups. However, processing costs differ among equipment types within a single group. Recovery organizations, which operate on behalf of producers, finance mainly the collection and handling of equipment whose processing costs are lowest while intentionally abandoning financing of collection of waste with high processing costs. In this way, producers of equipment fulfill their statutory obligation to collect a specific weight of equipment of each group, although the proportions of processing within each group do not correspond to the proportions of equipment types which were placed on the market before. Equipment with highest processing costs is at the same time the most dangerous equipment for the environment and human health. High processing costs are strongly dependent on the necessity to recover and neutralize hazardous substances.(source: report entitled “Funkcjonowanie i nieprawidłowości w systemie zarządzania ZSEE w Polsce” [WEEE Manage-ment System in Poland - Functioning and Irregularities], prepared by the Gdańsk Institute for Market Economics. Certain attempts at improving the functioning of WEEE management system, such as extending the range of responsibility or introduction of new obligations for entities constituting the system did not bring the anticipated results: 1. Not all entities obliged to register with the system and to file regular reports according to the Act actually fulfill their reporting obligations, and a certain proportion of reports received by the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Pro- tection is incomplete or filled out in an unreliable manner. Moreover, not all entities obliged to register in the system have actually registered; 2. Consumer awareness is very low as regards hazards related to inappropriate handling of waste electrical and electronic equipment, handling and recycling methods, or equipment producers’ obligations in this respect. The most fre quent intentional action is to discard WEEE to an ordinary waste bin. In case of large household appliances, the most common ways of intentional disposal of WEEE is its removal to scrap yard, or handing it over to the shop;
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3. The producers, who most frequently act with the intention to lower the costs of recycling, take advantage of services rendered by unfair businesses, which create false waste handling/processing documentation. However, manufacturers do not take direct responsibility for illegal processing or recovery of waste equipment, as they delegate their obligations to recovery organizations; 4. Producers willing to reduce costs switch from companies that actually and properly process waste electrical and electronic equipment to recovery organi- zations and handling/processing plants that operate illegally. (source: report entitled “Funkcjonowanie i nieprawidłowości w systemie zarządzania ZSEE w Polsce” [WEEE Management System in Poland - Functioning and Irregularities], prepared by the Gdańsk Institute for Market Economics.
Directive 2002/96/EC imposed an obligation on Member States to implement regulations to national laws that would determine the rules of functioning of waste electrical and electronic management systems. The Directives sets out basic guidelines that should be included in Member State legislation. Certain freedom was left to Member States in transposition to national laws. Consequently, different WEEE management systems exist in various European Union Member States. This has led to unequal treatment of producers among the particular Member States (varying responsibilities and different scale of financial charges related to it) and to differences in waste electrical and electronic equipment collection systems functioning. A system of electrical and electronic waste collection, recovery and recycling is only beginning to come into existence in Poland. It does not function at all in many towns and communes. Many years are still needed for this system to become efficient and effective. It will be difficult for Poland to reach the level of such European states as Norway, Switzerland or Sweden where more than ten kilograms of waste equipment are collected per inhabitant each year.While other EU Member States are wondering whether they will be able to meet the requirements of waste electrical and electronic equipment directives, required recovery targets were achieved in Norway. The directives require producers to take responsibility for the waste they produce, meaning that they are obliged to reuse or process 80% of components and waste electrical and electronic equipment. Collection of electrical and electronic waste is the key achievement of the waste management system in Norway. Nearly all unnecessary household appliances, computers and lighting equipment items are given away to manufacturers. The quantity of waste equipment handed over for processing reached 32 kg per inhabitant in 2009. Source: Edie News
The following conclusions can be drawn from comparing 2009 data to 2008: • Weight of produced electrical and electronic equipment was over 20% lower in 2009 than the weight of equipment produced in 2008, which is mainly the result of the economic crisis in Poland and lower economic growth; • Weight of waste equipment collected in 2009 is twice as high as the weight of equipment collected in 2008. This is mainly due to the amendment of the
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WEEE Act, which imposes an obligation to achieve minimum waste equipment collection targets on producers of equipment for households. Other factors influencing the increase of weight of collected waste equipment include higher number of entities that registered in 2009 as waste equipment collectors, and only slight improvement with respect to reporting to the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection by these entities.
The several years of functioning of the electrical and electronic waste management system have shown many imperfections of the Polish legislation related to the WEEE system. 1. The most important problem of the Polish WEEE management system is the creation of false waste handling documentation. The consequence of this issue is the difficulty with actual determination of WEEE collection rates in Poland, as the existing statistics are partially created on the basis of false documentation. 2. Another flaw of the WEEE management system in Poland is the grey zone, which in this case shows in disassembling collected equipment outside waste handling/ processing plants. Such locations most often include scrap yards, wa-ste collection points, or illegal waste electrical and electronic equipment pro-cessing plants which are not properly fitted for equipment disassembly purposes. 3. The factor which strengthens the issues on the WEEE collection market is the absence of actual comprehensive control over the system by authorized bodies. 4. The WEEE Act introduced the obligation to account for weight of collected equipment divided into 10 range groups defined in the Act. However, proces sing costs differ among equipment types within a single group. Thus, recovery organizations finance mainly the collection and handling of equipment whose processing costs are lowest while intentionally abandoning financing of collection of waste with high processing costs. 5. According to the reports of the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection, introduction of collection targets to the WEEE Act resulted in increasing the rate of waste equipment collection from 1.48 kg per inhabitant per year in 2008 to 2.7 kg per inhabitant per year in 2009. Because this does not guarantee achievement of valid collection target of 4 kg per inhabitant per year, a draft Regulation was issued that obliges producers to collect WEEE at a rate of 39%. 6. Not all entities obliged to register with the system and to file regular reports according to the Act actually fulfill their reporting obligations, and a certain proportion of reports received by the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection is incomplete or filled out in an unreliable manner. Moreover, not all entities obliged to register in the system have actually registered.
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As the existing system is defective, certain changes need to be implemented, in order to eliminate or reduce nonconformities in the WEEE management sector. (according to report entitled “Funkcjonowanie i nieprawidłowości w systemie zarządzania ZSEE w Polsce” [WEEE Management System in Poland - Functioning and Irregularities], prepared by the Gdańsk Institute for Market Economics).Table 13-1 shows the changes proposed to eliminate or limit the nonconformities in WEEE management sector.
Table 13-1 Changes proposed to eliminate or limit the nonconformities in WEEE management sector
Source: Report entitled “Funkcjonowanie i nieprawidłowości w systemie zarządzania ZSEE w Polsce” [WEEE Manage-ment System in Poland - Functioning and Irregularities], prepared by the Gdańsk Institute for Market Economics.
Entity Recommended actions1 Chief Inspectorate
of Environmental Protection, Provincial Inspectorates of Envi-ronmental Protection
More efficient control: – control over processing capacity of processing plants: plant size, yard area, transport base, machine park, headcount, available technology (e.g. whether the apparatus in use is designed for unit processing of WEEE or for batch processing);,– detailed control of fraction flows, particularly with regard to hazardous substances and substances whose disposal is paid (e.g. freons, CRT glass), combined with cash flow control, fraction weight flow control, recycling plants’ certificates control, etc.– cross-control between handling/processing plants and recyclers - to verify whether the documents held by a handling/processing plant are identical to those held by recycling operators,– verifying whether refrigerator handling/processing plants have appropriate system for freon recovery from cooling foams - withdrawal of licences for processing of cooling equipment if such systems are missing,– verifying whether CRT and fluorescent lamp handling/processing plants have appropriate systems for luminophore recovery and safe storage - withdrawal of licences if such systems are missing.
2 Sejm (lower house of Parliament)
Amendments to the WEEE Act:– replacing the current WEEE product groups with cost groups (based on handling/processing cost criteria),– statutory separation of WEEE system links, mainly through separating the functions of a handling/processing plant and a recycling business,– development of an IT system to register the consecutive phases of WEEE recovery
3 Ministry of the Environment
Amendments to Regulations: – introducing an obligation to collect and pre-select WEEE by the type of hazardous contents and processing technology,– imposing an obligation to finance WEEE recovery on recovery organiza- tions according to the types of equipment specified in agreements with producers, e.g. an obligation to finance recovery of refrigerators
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14. WEEE PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES
Handling/processing plants which receive waste electrical and electronic equipment are obliged to disassemble such equipment and immediately remove hazardous substances, materials and components from such equipment, including heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium), Cl, Br, I, At compounds (CFC, PCB, PVC), and further recycling or other type of recovery of these materials, ensuring safety for the environment and human health. The Act also sets out the requirements which must be fulfilled by such plant and the range of equipment necessary (non-permeable floor surface, roofing, liquid separator with settling tank and oil trap). All WEEE handling/processing plants must obtain relevant decisions and licences for engaging in such activities, which are issued by competent organizational units, and should be registered with the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection, have a registration number assigned, and prepare reports on their activities as required by law, which constitute a serious problem for businesses.Each handling/processing plant is also obliged to run precise and systematic management of waste received and transferred to the subsequent holder. Such management is based on preparing waste record sheets and waste transfer sheets. The main goal of handling/processing plants is to achieve appropriate recycling and recovery targets for all the 10 groups of WEEE enumerated in Annex 1 to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act. Companies tend to implement more and more advanced processing, recycling and recovery technologies. These technologies are implemented in order to separate specific fractions from waste which can be further reused, such as fractions of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, plastics, or even precious metals used in production of equipment. With these solutions, the majority of waste equipment returns to the market as recyclable materials. This contributes to reduced hazards for human life and health, and to lower pollution of the environment. Processing of waste electrical and electronic equipment begins with separation into specific groups of equipment and manual disassembly to remove substances and components from equipment that are hazardous for the environment, as well as batteries, condensers, accumulators or mercury switches with PCB contents. These substances and components are safely stored by the plants and thereafter handed to other entities specializing in recycling or recovery of such substances. Composition of disassembled equipment should be analyzed accordingly at specialized workstations. Afterwards, items should be separated by fraction: metals, plastics, wiring, glass. Metal fractions can be subjected to various milling and shredding processes and forwarded by the waste handling/processing plant to metal works or businesses specializing in recovery of such types of waste. Similar activities can be undertaken with respect to other components, such as printed circuit boards, CRTs, wood, or plastics. Individual plants have multiple recovery and recycling technologies available, and their efficiency depends primarily on the type of waste equipment reaching the plant, as the contents of hazardous substances, their locations or product composition will not always be known. Therefore, with this type of business activity it is extremely important to achieve productive dialogue between the waste handling/processing plant and the producer of the given waste equipment.Source: http:// www.ekologia-info.pl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90&Itemid=48
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14.1. “KÜHLTEG” system of environmentally sound disposal of waste cooling equipment (refrigerators and freezers)
The “KÜHLTEG” refrigerator and freezer disposal system is a multi-stage system composed of the following phases: storage, disassembly, crushing, shredding, separating, pressing and suction removal of freon. Freon and compressor oil from engine cycle, circulating in the refrigerating cycle, is extracted through semi-automatic suction and then handed over for further processing. Propellants contained in insulating foam are released through mechanical crushing and pressing. The next phase of their recovery is condensation. Scrap metal and foam remains can be processed or landfilled. The device is used for environmentally safe disposal of waste cooling equipment.
1. Feeding stationPre-treated cooling appliance is fed manually or with a lift to the first conveyor belt section, then transported to the next workstation.2. Suction stationCooling appliance is locked on tilting table to enable puncturing of the cooling sys-tem and engine at the lowest point. Freon is sucked out via a centrally controlled sys-tem that supports simultaneous handling of several cooling appliances. No gases are released outside the appliance during this process. Filling level is controlled through weight measurements. Recovered machine oil from engine and cooling agents are processed in industrial applications and reused afterwards.3. Disassembly stationHere, the following items are disassembled: engine, cooling grilles, possibly existing mercury switch, and non-ferrous parts from cooling appliance housing. All these parts can be supplied to processing plants.4. Transfer station and further transportAfter disassembling the compressor and heat exchanger, the refrigerator housing is passed manually to feeding conveyor. It is received from the conveyor automatically, then fed to the crusher.4a. Closed processing unitThis solution reduces the levels of noise and dust. In addition, the room is closed and locked.5. Crushing - first phaseDuring this phase, the refrigerator housing is initially crushed in a crusher. Crushed material with particle sizes of approx. 60 to 80 mm are fed to second crusher via a channel conveyor.6. Crushing - second phaseHere, material is ground with impeller shears to particle size 0-20 mm. Ground material is delivered via a conveyor belt to a rod mill.7. Separation levelAt the rod mill, material is separated into metals, insulating materials and plastics.8. Separation of polyurethane foamPolyurethane foam is sucked out in the deposit shaft from the mix of materials, and fed to pelletizer.
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9. Metal separatorFerrous and non-ferrous particles are separated downstream the drum lock with diaphragms and transported by belt conveyors to transport containers located outside the machine.10. PelletizerGround polyurethane foam and plastics are compacted in the press, which separates R11 freon. Material processed with this method loses 95% of its previous volume. Output material (foam and remains) is transported to container through the lock and conveyor belt.DESCRIPTION OF LOW-TEMPERATURE CONDENSATIONThe hermetic condensing device operates fully automatically. The entire quantity of released freon is recovered to a level below 20 mg/m3. A monitoring device continuously records the composition of flue air. Annual output of the machine, ranging from 40 to 60 thousand items of equipment, is economically viable. Connection power of the entire solution: approx. 200 kW. Capacity: approx. 30 items per hour, or 0.9 Mg/h.
14.2. Cooling equipment disposal installation
This system is designed for environmentally friendly disposal of waste cooling equipment, offering nearly 100% recovery of freon or pentane.The characteristic feature of this technology is that almost 100% of all freon or pentane is recovered from old cooling appliances. Thus, the technology not only exceeds the targets required by the European Union, but in fact contributes to protection of the ozone layer. The system has a high processing capacity - approx. 400 thousand appliances per year, which renders it economically viable.
Source: www.mewa-recycling.de/
Coolingequipmentdisposalinstallation
Most precise technology MeWa.
[ ]
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14.3. A system for disposal of waste containing mercury compounds from used mercury lamps, glow tubes and popular mercury batteries, with EKOTROM-2 device
A machine called “EKOTROM-2” offers a high-profile technology for neutralization of waste glow-discharge tubes. The design of this solution guarantees complete safety of operation and protection of the natural environment.Neutralization (Hg removal from lamps) consists of the following unit processes: • vibration crushing (destroying); • selection of luminophore with Hg, metal parts (aluminum fixtures) and cullet; • hydromechanical treatment; • collecting Hg with luminophore, cullet, and metal particles.Post-production cullet and aluminum lamp fixtures are valuable recyclable materials. Whole, pre-treated lamps are reloaded from transport containers to the feeder installed on “EKOTROM-2” manually. This guarantees final control of their quality, with selection options. At that time, fully automated mercury removal process begins. The feeder places the lamp in tubular charging lock. Hermetic valve located immediately downstream the lamp passage is automatically closed. Negative pressure is generated by a vacuum pump during the mercury removal process. When the lamp has been sucked into the machine, it is crushed there. Sizes of glass particles will not exceed 10x15 mm. Aluminum fixtures are separated from glass on vibrating screens and discharged to tank. Luminophore with mercury contents is sucked off from glass. Glass is cleaned and collected in a container, which is integrated in the device.Luminophore and Hg vapours are removed from air stream in several stages: • cyclone (efficiency 95%); • sleeve filter (99.6%); • cartridge filter (99.98%); • service adsorber filled with activated carbon and sulfur for mercury absorption: 0.1 to 0.5 mg/kg; • main adsorber: 0.01 to 0.02 mg/kg; • sanitary adsorber: 0.0002 to 0.0003 mg/kg.Excess luminophore is released from sleeve filters with compressed air. Processed activated carbon, dusts and water with chemical contents used for washing the device will be mixed with cement and Na2S and formed in blocks with mercury contents not exceeding 1%. Generally, bonding of Hg with Na2S transforms mercury into insoluble HgS, whose vapour pressure is negligible in comparison with metallic Hg vapour pressure.
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PROCESS RATINGS OF THE DEVICE
Utilized waste parameters: • aluminum fixtures < 2.1 mg Hg/kg • cullet < 1.7 mg Hg/kg • gas tube with vacuum pump < 0.0003 mg Hg/m3
Utilized waste expenditure at neutralization level of 6,000 thousand lamps – 1,800 Mg (annual efficiency): • luminophore: 60 Mg • cullet: 1,704 Mg • aluminum fixtures: 36 Mg
14.4. Used fluorescent lamp redistribution ecosystem
The disposal process involves: crushing the lamps in crushers; separation of lamp components on special screens in a separation and crushing system (cullet produced from the fluorescent tube, aluminum tube closing ends, luminophore with mercury contents, which is distilled to separate luminophore and mercury).The entire process is carried out in negative pressure systems that prevent mercury emissions outside the process line. After re-distillation, mercury is reused for manufacture of new fluorescent lamps. Aluminum tube ends are transferred to aluminum works. Luminophore is collected separately in containers designed for future reuse.Waste fluorescent lamps redistribution system consists of the following three stages: 1. use of verified packaging (containers) for collection, storage, transport and unloading of waste lamps;
Ratio, apparatus identification Value
1. Lamp crushing and lamp components segregation machine: • negative pressure in the treatment zone • air negative pressure at crushing section outlet
0,04-0,06 kPa5-15 kPa
2. Mechanical air stream filter downstream the crushing chamber: • air negative pressure at filter outlet 10-20 kPa
3. Carbon adsorber: • output negative pressure 10-22 kPa
4. Vacuum pump: • air negative pressure upstream the pump • air negative pressure at forced feeding of Na2S solution
12-25 kPa>40 kPa
5. Container: • cullet level in container (filling level) >1800 mm
6. Air reservoir in vacuum pump: • air pressure downstream the container 25-35 kPa
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2. disposal on a process line with a full range of protections against mercury escape in the neutralization process; 3. handling waste produced in the disposal process.The system is based on the following assumptions: 1. distribution of special containers, 2. collection of waste fluorescent lamps, 3. receiving and transporting containers with waste lamps, 4. neutralization of lamps on an MRT line, 5. handling waste produced in the disposal process.The neutralization/disposal process involves: 1. crushing fluorescent lamps in crushers, 2. separating fluorescent lamp components on special screens in a separating and crushing system, including: – cullet produced from the fluorescent tube, – aluminum ends closing the tubes, – luminophore with mercury, which is distilled to separate into luminophore and mercury.
14.5. Waste electrical and electronic equipment disposal
Firstly, at the time of disassembly, all hazardous components are removed from waste equipment; the remaining components are divided and sorted to separate materials that are fit for further reuse or transformation into new materials for production of new equipment. Waste electrical and electronic equipment is recovered through R14 process - other activities involving reuse of waste in whole or part, or R15 - processing of waste to prepare it for recovery, including recycling. Immediately after receiving at a handling/processing plant, WEEE is weighed, separated and placed on pallets or in containers, where it is temporarily stored before disassembly, in a separate sector of warehouse hall. Then, waste is carried to disassembly room by a platform truck. The disassembly technology involves manual disassembly of WEEE using simple tools. Hazardous substances, materials and components are first removed from waste equipment containing hazardous components, as specified in Annex 2 to WEEE Act of 29 July 2005. These include in particular: components with mercury contents, including switches, illuminators, printed circuit boards, plastics with bromium-based flame retardant agents, liquid crystal displays, and external electrical wiring. As soon as hazardous components are removed, the remaining WEEE components are disassembled. Non-hazardous waste can be produced through WEEE handling/processing (e.g. such as ferrous or non-ferrous metals, plastics), as well as hazardous waste (such as mercury switches, circuit boards), and fully valuable components. If dismounted components are found fit for reuse upon review of their technical condition, they may be sold as full-value parts. Until effective sale, these components are stored in special containers. Waste is first transferred to recycling or non-recycling recovery processes. Those waste items which cannot be reused are handed over for disposal.
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14.6. Cathode ray tube disposal technology and line
The object of invention is a disposal method for waste CRTs containing harmful substances, and a recovery method for yttrium and europium compounds from separated harmful substances. Waste cathode ray tubes are cleared of any elements and plastics. Screen glass is separated from cone glass through cutting. Glass from screens and tapered tubes is separated. Glass surface is cleaned before further processing. Glass obtained from screens is crushed to >50 mm fractions and the luminescent layer is cleaned off. Luminescent layer contains yttrium and europium compounds as well as toxic substances, such as: barium and chromium compounds, zinc, cadmium, copper and silver sulfides. Waste luminophore is chemically stabilized, and yttrium and europium compounds are recovered. Glass from CRT cones is crushed to <15 mm fractions and treated accordingly.Waste luminophore separated from the cathode ray tube in the form of dust is disposed through first neutralizing hazardous components through chemical stabilization and vitrification. Then, valuable yttrium and europium oxalates are precipitated and treated. Post-reaction solutions are reused for dissolving consecutive lots of waste. The method is cheap, safe and environmentally friendly. Luminophores used to be landfilled without proper disposal, causing an environmental hazard.CRT disposal line employing dry method involves stratification and disassembly of cathode ray tubes and separation of three types of glass ( screens, tapered tubes, and guns), metals, plastics, and dry removal of luminophore from screen glass (glass purity ratio 98%). The line provides disposal of 50 thousand to 100 thousand cathode ray tubes a year, i.e. 500 to 1,000 tonnes of glass, which will be managed for industrial purposes.The object of invention is a disposal method for waste picture tubes containing harmful substances, and a recovery method for yttrium and europium compounds from separated harmful substances.Figure 14-1 presents the process diagram with the capacity of 50 thousand to 100 thousand cathode ray tubes each year.
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Figure 14-1 Diagram of technological process with the capacity of 50 thousand to 100 thousand cathode ray tubes a year
Source: www.imbigs.org.pl
14.7. Neutralization of fluorescent lamps and other mercury-containing waste (“wet” method)
“Wet” technologies involve transformation of mercury into insoluble form with a chemical reaction in which mercury contained in waste is bound into mercury sulfide (HgS) through addition of such chemical compounds as, for instance, sodium hypochlorite, potassium thiosulfate, or potassium permanganate.
WASTECRTSDISASSEMBLY OF CATHODE-RAY TUBES – SELECTION OF MATERIALS BY TYPE
SCRENTAPERED
TUBE
MASK AND MAGNETIC
SCREEN
ELECTRONICWASTE
PROCESSINGTOGETHER WITHTV ELECTRONIC
WASTE
DISASSEMBLYAND
SELECTION
USUWANIE WARSTWYLUMINOFOROWEJ • kruszenie-crushing • ocieranie-surface cleaning • odpylanie-dust removal • klasyfikacja-classification
FILTRATION CRUSHING ANDCLASSIFICATION
LUMINPHORE
NEUTRALIZATION
RECOVERY OF MATERIALS
DEPOSID MIXED UNTIL SOLIDIFIED
LANDFILLING
RARE METALCOMPOUNDS
(europiumyttrium)
SCREENGLASSCULLET
TAPEREDTUBE GLASS
CULLETMETALS PLASTIC
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The technological process involves washing out luminophore with mercury compound contents from sorted and crushed mass of glass with the use of appropriate solution, and filtering such mercury compounds deposit away from the solution. Waste light sources are stored at waste collection and acceptance points for handling and afterwards transferred to the WEEE handling room. Firstly, hazardous ingredients, materials and component parts are removed from waste subjected to recovery process. Recovered china and metal components without hazardous contents, as well as cullet after removal of mercury compounds, are stored in special containers. Other glass items containing mercury compounds are further subject to cullet recovery process in an installation designed especially for this purpose.The cullet recovery process consists of the following stages: 1. loading glass parts of lamps into hermetic crusher drum in which glass will be crushed to particle sizes to exceeding 16 mm; 2. rinsing of crushed material (cullet) after gravitationally feeding the crushed material to washer mixing drum, in which mercury compounds and other contaminating substances will be washed out three times with citric acid with caustic soda solution at a temperature of 35-400C and pressure of 0.7 MPa; 3. collecting suspended material in an interim tank, obtained through triple rin- sing of crushed material (gravity overflow of the washer structure after each rinsing cycle), from where suspension will be fed by a pump to the filtration system; 4. filtering of solution with suspended material in a system of three filters; 5. emptying the washer drum after every contamination rinsing cycle with a vi- brating screen where remains of rinsing solution flow down to a container pla- ced under the screen and are recirculated afterwards.
14.8. Treatment systems for glass produced from waste electrical and electronic equipment through implosion
Implosion of glass is a process of glass crushing that replaces traditional technologies, involving application of targeted acoustic vibrations to produce blunt cullet.The presence of glass in recycling of materials increases the rate of equipment usage even to 100% and contaminates separated paper, plastics and other materials, thus lowering their commercial value. To avoid these effects, it would be reasonable to remove glass from these processes. K-series imploders used in recycling installations reduce losses and improve purity of other recovered materials. Imploders process mixed waste with up to 60% content of non-glass materials; therefore, they are perfectly fit for materials separation. Recovered glass waste is transformed into valuable blunt cullet. K-series imploders may transform CRT glass into blunt cullet, thus improving the recycling options. Cullet is then processed by Varicon-X sorting system which separates lead glass from high quality glass with X-rays.Implosion takes up about 50% less energy than crushing. Implosion devices are compact and therefore, such processing may take place at the point of collection of the materials, which reduces the costs of transport and acceptance, and saves time.Implosion is appropriate for all types of glass waste - containers, flat glass panels, float
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glass, CRT, vehicle glass. Glass need not be pretreated before crushing in any way. CRT glass can be processed together with metal and plastic parts. Containers can be processed full or empty, with caps, lids, covers, plugs, labels.Imploder capacity up to 30 tonnes per hour and their easily adaptable structure guarantees convenient installation of the machine in live production lines.
14.9. Recycling of monitors
This solution is based on laser cutting process. Before cutting of TV or monitor housing begins, electronic components must be removed from inside. Afterwards, the tube itself enters a unit with cutting laser installed, which measures the size and selects appropriate cutting programme that fits the particular size. Then the tube reaches the cutting area where a light beam from a 1.5kW Rofin-Sinar CO2 laser cuts the tube into two parts. The laser may cut 1 to 2 CRT monitors per minute, depending on their size. Then the glass in the front and rear interior of tube must be cleaned. Metal parts are removed, and phosphoric material is dusted and stored safely for future processing as hazardous waste. The lead glass funnel and the glass panel are then cleaned in a cleaning drum, after which glass is sold to manufacturers of new CRT monitors.Use of a laser is more advantageous than competitive technologies employing diamond saws. Firstly, it is very fast; a single laser line may reach annual processing capacity of 500,000 CRT monitors. Secondly, the solution produces high quality separated CRT glass, which can be sold to manufacturers of television sets. This is very important from the economic viewpoint. Thirdly, the solution is characterized by low operating costs, the prices of CO2 containers and mirrors are significantly lower than regular replacements of diamond cutters. Laser cutting produces significantly less dust in the cutting process, thus reducing health hazards to which employees are exposed.This technology allows to meet the requirements of WEEE Directive while being cheaper and faster than alternative CRT monitors recycling processes. This also involves positive economic aspects.
14.10. Recycling of light bulbs with their own automatic oxidation process
The system for disposal of lamps with mercury contents is composed of three methods. The first two methods require manual introduction, while in the third method - a brand new oxidation process - fully clean and separated waste is produced automatically.
The process comprises:Crushing (dry process)Light bulbs are manually separated from unnecessary waste and dried. They are then crushed with screw compressors and metals are removed by magnets. Glass, powders and other materials from the lamp are separated in a drum. This technology is used for fluorescent lamps, short fluorescent tubes, and broken light bulbs. Because of significant quantities of mercury powders, protective masks must be worn.Cutting (dry process)Clean and whole tubes are dried and sorted manually according to length. They are
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then placed manually in a machine that cuts off their ends. Compressed air ejects fluorescent powder with mercury content to a container. Now glass can be crushed and sorted according to purity. Ends are stored separately. This method can only be used with whole, long tubes. Personal protection equipment should be used as appropriate, due to formation of dust.
Recycling in an oxidation processAll types of light bulbs and lamps can be processed through oxidation without sorting. They are crushed in a closed container and washed in fluid which oxidizes and bonds with mercury. Fluorescent powder and mercury are stored in separate closed containers for recycling.Washed glass, metals and other materials are mercury-free after washing. This method is highly efficient and guarantees safe working environment.
Mercury powder is bonded into liquid at the time of crushing the light bulbs and tubes. Thus, fluorescent powder in which mercury is bonded can be washed off completely. Unlike the materials obtained in the dry process, which failed to meet all environmental requirements, materials produced through the oxidation process are clean and ready for reuse.Oxidation process also involves a lower degree of separation. This new method can be used with all types of lamps and tubes while also minimizing the extent of manual sorting.
14.11. Recovery of metals from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) through leaching and electrolysis
This technology is based on the process of chlorine absorption by water-based acidic chloride of electrolyte, which dissolves metals from crushed WEEE (or other second-hand sources of metals) in a leaching reactor. Dissolved metals are placed on electrochemical reactor membrane cathode, which enables their further recovery and refining, where chlorine is generated again on the anode. In the output of this process, concentrations of metal ions from the leaching reactor are relatively low (e.g. <20 ppm of gold). Experiments have shown significant, complete and non-selective dissolution of metals in the leaching reactor. An electrochemical reactor successfully processes 1 kg WEEE daily. Models have been developed to foresee the behaviors of electrochemical reactors.At the moment, copper smelting furnaces are used to recover metals from WEEE, but this process requires major capital expenditures and is a strongly centralized, large-scale process. Smelting plants with such capacities exist only in a few countries. An alternative method for recovery of metals is to dissolve metals in water-based solutions, followed by their condensation, e.g. in case of hydroxides, sediment is produced for further processing.Preparation of a complete hydrometallurgical process requires introduction of electricity to transfer metals from crushed WEEE to cathode, which results in production of metal-free WEEE for further processing. Metal particles settle on the cathode and can then be easily collected through hydraulic transport and control, enabling continuous service of the reactor. Uninterrupted
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movement and collisions of particles improve the morphology of metals deposition, producing more coherent and consistent deposits. The dependencies between the deposition rates of particular metals and the electrode potentials lead to partially selective recovery of metals through controlling cathode potential. Alloy deposits can then be electrorefined.Electro-hydromtallurgical metal recovery process is a clean process, which does not produce any harmful deposits or waste water. It is easily adaptable to current needs, has a specific demand for electricity at approx. 3,000 kWh per tonne of processed WEEE, together with low capital expenditure and therefore a short pay back time.
14.12. Disassembling mobile telephones with the use of an induction heater
Electronic waste recycling technologies are focused mainly on collection of metals, particularly precious metals. This method can be sufficient for certain groups of products. Computer hardware contains an average of 64% of metals, 4% PWB, 17% plastics, and 15% other substances. This composition is different for mobile telephones, which contain 58% plastics, 16% ceramics, 15% copper, and only 6% iron and other metals. It means that plastics would have to be processed in order to enhance the recycling options for replaceable materials in mobile telephones.Old methods of recovery, targeted at such metals as copper, aluminum, iron, caused a major decrease of plastics content in recycling process output materials. Considering the small quantity of metals and alloys in a mobile telephone, the traditional method turns out to be surprisingly inefficient.The disassembly technology is based on two phases: inductive heating and mechanical impact. In this process, magnetic induction is used for heating metal attachment screws in a mobile telephone to 400oC in three seconds. During that time, the plastic surrounding the screws melts, while a rapid mechanical impact 43 allows for breaking a mobile telephone into 6 or 7 parts. The main fractions include liquid crystals, PWB and housing. These parts can be separated with several magnetic separation processes, or on vibrating screens. With the applied recovery technology, mobile phones and other similar portable electronic products can be disassembled at actual cost.
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15. REFERENCES
1. Act of 29 July 2005 on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (Journal of Laws of 2005, No. 180, item 1495), with secondary legislation
2. Act of 21 November 2008 on Amending the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act and Amendment of Certain Other Acts of Law (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 223, item 1464)
3. Act of 27 April 2001 on Waste (Journal of Laws of 2010, No. 185, item 1243)
4. “Raport o funkcjonowaniu systemu gospodarki zużytym sprzętem elektrycznym i elektronicznym w 2009 r.” [Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management System Functioning Report 2009], Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection, Warsaw, June 2010
5. “Raport o funkcjonowaniu systemu gospodarki zużytym sprzętem elektrycznym i elektronicznym w 2008 r.” [Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Management System Functioning Report 2008], Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection, Warsaw, June 2009
6. “Rejestr przedsiębiorców i organizacji odzysku sprzętu elektrycznego i elektronicznego” [Register of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Recovery Operators and Organi- zations], Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection
7. Regulation of the Minister of the Environment of 22 December 2008 concerning minimum yearly WEEE collection targets (Journal of Laws of 2008, No. 235, item 1615)
8. “Ustawa o zużytym sprzęcie elektrycznym i elektronicznym – komentarz” [Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act - Commentary], edited by: Maria Duczmal, 11/20099. Report “Funkcjonowanie i nieprawidłowości w systemie zarządzania ZSEE w Polsce” [WEEE Management System in Poland - Functioning and Irregularities], prepared by the Gdańsk Institute for Market Economics
10. “Nieprawidłowości w systemie zarządzania ZSEE w Polsce” [Irregularities in the WEEE Management System in Poland], Jacek Zyśk, Odpady i Środowisko No. 2 (62)/10
11. “Zbiórka odpadów elektrycznych i elektronicznych. Część I” [Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Collection. Part I], Jerzy Kozłowski, Ph.D., Eng.; Dariusz Lewandowski; Wojciech Mikłasz; Henryk Czyżyk; Recykling No. 12 (120)2010
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12. “Zbiórka odpadów elektrycznych i elektronicznych. Część II” [Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Collection. Part II], Jerzy Kozłowski, Ph.D., Eng.; Dariusz Lewandowski; Wojciech Mikłasz; Henryk Czyżyk; Recykling No. 1 (121)2011
13. www.elektroeko.pl
14. www.drop.pl
15. www.auraeko.pl
16. www.remondis.pl
17. www.g.infor.pl
18. www.gios.gov.pl
19. www.ekologia-info.pl
20. www.lumen-police.pl
21. www.sutco-polska.com.pl
22. www.mewa-recycling.de
23. www.geomar.net.pl
24. www.imbigs.org.pl
25. www.Metropolis.net.pl
26. www.ekoneutral.pl
27. www.imbigs.org.pl
28. http://ewasteguide.info/files/ElRetur_2006_EnvReport2005.pdf
29. http://www.environment.no
30. http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=SEC:2008:2934:FIN:PL: PDF
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NOTES