The taking back of small electrical and electronic devices in the retail sector planned in the new ElektroG (Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act = German WEEE conversion) does not only result in bureaucratic burdens for the retail industry which is obliged to take back such devices, but is also counteracted by the ADR requirements (dangerous goods).
Among others the ADR requirements state that lots of these devices may only be transported to the recycling plants if they are individually packed due to high-performance batteries in such devices and due to the involved risk of explosion and fire.
Based on our experience we simply think that it is an illusion to believe that the citizens would package their used small electrical and electronic devices before they return them to the retailers.
From our point of view it is also not reasonable to require the retail sector to package each device or remove the batteries from each individual device.
We are afraid that the risk of explosion and fire which may originate from such small electrical and electronic devices would in this way be transferred in the basements, attics and drawers of the citizens.
From the point of view of the VERE Association this shows once again that each ministry or each authority enacts its own laws and regulations on European as well as on federal level which are not only difficult to understand for the citizens, but which are sometimes even contradictory.
This is diametrically opposed to an intelligent environmental policy.
We hope that in the near future there will be a coordination centre which avoids the irrationality of some regulations for practical persons as well as on European and federal level.
About take-e-way
- Founded in 2004 in Hamburg
- Currently 20 employees
- Managers: Jochen Stepp, Oliver Friedrichs
Business fields: The take-e-way GmbH assumes the implementation of bureaucratic and operative requirements and obligations of manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, retailers and distributors of electrical and electronic devices in Germany and abroad in the field of product responsibility according to the law (Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, WEEE, Battery Act, Packaging Ordinance, etc.).
VERE e.V.: The VERE Association for the take-back and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (VERE e.V. registered association) founded in 2003 is the organization having the largest number of members among providers, manufacturers, trade associations and individuals regarding the implementation of the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG/WEEE) in Germany. VERE is the founding organization of take-e-way and also represents the interests of more than 3,000 companies at political level.
Press Contact
take-e-way GmbH
Christoph Brellinger
Corporate Communications
Liebigstraße 64
22113 Hamburg
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)40/750687-111
Fax: +49 (0)40/750687-101
http://www.take-e-way.com
presse[at]take-e-way.de
