As stated on the European Directive 2008/98/EC, Member States should apply the Waste Hierarchy (Prevention-Reuse-Recycling-Energy Recovery-Disposal), and take measures to encourage the options that deliver the best overall environmental outcome.
Let’s give a look to how Member States are doing:
- AUSTRIA – BGBI (Federal Law Gazette) II No. 121/2005:
-Art. 3 gives a definition of reuse:
“re-use” means any operation by which WEEE is used for the same purpose for which the equipment was conceived, including the continued use of the equipment or components thereof which are returned to collection points, distributors, recyclers or producers.
-Art. 4 states that:
“producers shall not prevent, through specific design features or manufacturing processes, WEEE from being re-used, unless such specific design features or manufacturing processes present overriding advantages, for example with regard to the protection of the environment or safety requirements”.
-Art. 11 states that:
“…producers shall demonstrably ensure that WEEE is re-used as a whole if this is appropriate to the appliances’ technical state, environmentally sound and reasonable in economic terms; the categories of EEE handed on for re-use and the mass of these appliances shall be recorded”.
- BELGIUM – Wallonia bill C – 2002/27550:
-Art. 15 states that:
“…Le plan de gestion comporte également un chapitre spécifique relatif aux mesures de prévention des déchets, décrivant le cas échéant les mesures favorisant la réutilisation…” which can be translated as “The management plan incorporates as well a chapter dealing with measures of waste prevention, which describes, if applicable, the measures promoting reuse”
- BULGARIA – Decree N 82 from 10 April 2006:
-Doesn’t add much to the EU Directive. Nevertheless, it differentiates between reuse and recycling in the data collection chart.
- CZECH REPUBLIC – ActNo. 7/2005 Coll:
-Doesn’t add much to the EU Directive. Nevertheless, it differentiates between reuse and recycling in the data collection chart.
- DENMARK – Statutory Order no. 664 of 27 June 2005:
- In the 2005 version there is no distinction between Reuse and Recycle. A newer version came out in April 2010 but there is no translation available.
- ESTONIA – RT I 2004, 30, 208:
-Art. 15 gives a definition of reuse:
“Waste reuse” means a method of waste recovery by which waste is used for its
original purpose, i.e. for the same purpose as the products from which the waste
originated.
-Art. 30 states the Principles of waste recovery:
- Waste shall be recovered if this is technologically possible and does not involve
excessive costs compared to other methods of waste handling.
(2) Upon choosing methods of recovery specified in subsections 15 (2)-(4) of this
Act, waste reuse shall be preferred. If this is not possible, recycling of waste as other
material or raw material shall be preferred to its use as a source of energy.
- FINLAND – Government Decree 852/2004 on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment:
-Art. 4 gives a definition of reuse:
“reuse” means any operation by which waste electrical and electronic equipment or components thereof are used for the same purpose for which they were conceived; reuse includes the continued use of equipment or components thereof which are returned to collection points, distributors, recyclers or manufacturers.
-Section 6 states that:
Producers shall organize the delivery of separately collected waste electrical and electronic equipment to an authorized treatment facility unless the appliances are reused as a whole. Waste electrical and electronic equipment shall be collected and stored in such a way that whole appliances and components thereof that are suitable for reuse and
recycling can primarily be reused or, as a secondary alternative, recycled as well as possible.
-Appendix 2 states that:
The suitability for reuse of equipment and components delivered to a collection facility must be checked. Equipment and components that are fit for reuse must be directed for reuse wherever possible.
- FRANCE – Decree n° 2005-829 of 20 July 2005:
-Art. 22 states that:
“the recovery and particularly the re-use of waste electrical and electronic equipment are preferable to its destruction“.
- GERMANY – Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, or ElektroG) of 16. March 2005:
-Art. 3 gives a definition of reuse:
“reuse means any operation by which WEEE or components thereof are used for the purpose for which they were conceived or placed on the market“.
-Art. 11 states that:
Where technically and financially feasible, a check must be made prior to treatment as to whether the waste equipment or individual components thereof can be sent for reuse.
- GREECE – Presidential Decree No 117, 5th March 2004:
-Art. 3 gives a definition of reuse:
“Reuse”: any operation by which WEEE or components thereof are used for the same purpose for which they were conceived, including the continued use of the equipment or components thereof which are returned to collection points, distributors, recyclers or manufacturers.
-Art. 4 states that:
The producers of EEE (…) shall give priority during the design and manufacturing of EEE to the reuse of the whole appliances as well as their components, subassemblies and consumables.
- HUNGARY – Government decree number 264/2004. (IX. 23.)
-Never mentions reuse/re-use.
- ITALY – Legislative Decree 25th July, 2005 – no. 151:
-Art. 3 gives a definition of reuse:
‘reuse’ means any operation by which WEEE or components thereof are used for the same
purpose for which they were conceived, including the continued use of the equipment or
components thereof which are returned to collection points, distributors, recyclers or
manufacturers;
-Art. 9 states:
(…) producers or third parties acting on their behalf shall set up systems either on an individual or on a collective basis, in accordance with national legislation, to provide for the recovery of WEEE collected separately in accordance with Article 6, giving priority to the reuse of whole appliances.
- LATVIA – Regulation No 923 adopted 9th November 2004:
-Doesn’t make any difference between reuse and recycling.
- LUXEMBOURG – Règlement grand-ducal du 18 janvier 2005:
-Art. 3 gives a definition of reuse:
“reuse” means any operation by which WEEE or components thereof are used for the same purpose for which they were conceived, including the continued use of the equipment or components thereof which are returned to collection points, distributors, recyclers or manufacturers.
-Art. 8 states:
Producers (…) give priority to reuse of the whole appliances.
- MALTA – Environmental Protection act 2001 (ACT NO.XX OF 2001):
-Art. 3 gives a definition of reuse:
“reuse” means any operation by which WEEE or components of are used for the same purpose for which they were conceived, including the continued use of the equipment or
components thereof which are returned to collection points, distributors, recyclers or manufacturers.
-Art. 8 states:
- The Competent Authority shall take necessary measures to ensure that (…) priority shall be given to the reuse of whole appliances (…).
- NETHERLANDS – Management Decree, 6 July 2004, regarding disposal and treatment
-Doesn’t make any difference between reuse and recycling
- POLAND – Amendments of the Senate Act of 29 July 2005:
-Doesn’t make any difference between reuse and recycling.
- PORTUGAL – Decree-Law no. 230/2004 of 10 December
-Art. 3 gives a definition of reuse:
‘Reuse’ means any operation through which EEE or its components are used for
the same purpose for which they were conceived, including the continued use of
the equipment or components thereof which are returned to collection points,
distributors, recycling centres or producers;
-Art. 11 states:
The separate collection systems are deemed adequaAct whey they meet at least the following requirements (…) promotion of the reuse of all part of WEEE.
- ROMANIA – Government decision no. 448/19.05.2005 (OJ no 491/10.06.2005)
-Art. 3 gives a definition of reuse:
“reuse” means any operation by which WEEE or components thereof are used for the same purpose for which they were conceived, including the continued use of the equipment or components thereof which are returned to collection points, distributors, recyclers or manufacturers;
-Art. 7 states:
The recovery of WEEE is done by giving priority for the reuse of whole appliances.
- SPAIN – Royal Decree 208/2005, 25th February 2005
-Doesn’t make any difference between reuse and recycling.
- SWEDEN – SFS 2005:209, published 26 April 2005
-Art. 17 states:
A collection system shall be deemed adequate if (…) it promotes the reuse of the entire product or components.
- UNITED KINGDOM – 2006 No. 3289
– Art. 2 gives a definition of reuse:
“reuse” means any operation by which WEEE or components thereof are used for the same purpose for which they were conceived, including the continued use of the equipment or components thereof which are returned to collection points, distributors, recyclers or manufacturers, and “reused” shall be construed accordingly;
-Art. 24 states:
In respect of any WEEE for which he is responsible under these Regulations, an operator of a scheme shall ensure that systems are set up to prioritise the reuse of whole appliances.
The European Countries not present on the above list did not have any legislation available in English.
World Environment Day - Camara 