2024-08-26 06:30:44
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is a perfect illustration of the economic challenges associated with the management of this type of waste.
According to the report published in 2021 by Ademenearly one million tonnes of WEEE were collected in the territory, for a recycling rate of 77%. At the same time, 2.4 million tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment were placed on the market.
In terms of evolution, the collection rate has increased by 17% since 2020, reaching 49.8%, while the European objectives set a rate of 65% of devices placed on the market. So to speak, France is therefore not achieving the objectives set by Europe.
The organization of the EEE sector into an EPR sector – extended producer responsibility – has enabled the establishment and approval, for the period 2021-2027, of eco-organizations, financed by WEEE producers, which will ensure the sorting, collection, decontamination, recycling and recovery of WEEE. There are currently four of these eco-organizations: Ecosystem, Ecologic, Srelec (ink cartridges) and Soren (photovoltaic panels). Their objectives, namely to assume the responsibility of producers regarding the end of life of their products placed on the market and to develop waste collection and treatment systems, mainly, place them at the center of an ecosystem of actors: producers, distributors, importers, installers, ESS actors, consumer associations, etc. whose actions must be coordinated to achieve the WEEE collection ambitions set at European level.
Beyond that, the entry into force of the AGEC law extends the responsibility of the REP sectors to the activities of repair, reuse, and re-employment of electronic products and household appliances. In order to limit upstream waste production as much as possible. To encourage these practices, educational tools for companies are multiplying, and methodologies are shaking up companies’ habits. Thus, to facilitate the reconditioning of electronic devices and their reuse, the implementation of simple actions must become widespread: it is thus necessary to avoid dumping WEEE, because this risks damaging them irreparably. Second point, the storage of screens must be done in an appropriate manner, absolutely avoiding storing them under other heavy waste, which could damage their components. And by placing them screen against screen, to avoid scratches. The use of original packing cartons is also recommended to protect the devices. Finally, avoid storing electronic products outdoors, which seems logical.
Implementing these practices, which are common sense, are not necessarily easy to implement. For example, keeping the packaging of electronic products in order to reuse them to protect them at the end of their life requires having a specific storage space, which is not necessarily easy for companies, especially those with a large electronic fleet.
Reuse, reuse and repair practices should enable the establishment of a circular economy for electronic and household appliances, with the potential for substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. For example, a refurbished smartphone can reduce the annual carbon impact of this product by 70 to 80% compared to the purchase of a new device. The Refurbished smartphone also avoids the extraction of almost 80 kg of raw materials.
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