The responsible use of natural resources is an important goal in order to improve environmental and health protection, avoid wasting resources and promote product design geared towards sustainability. Recycling and reusing materials and thus promoting the circular economy is an understanding of values and sustainability that is firmly anchored in our society, but has long since shaped everyday political life in EU-wide legislation.
In recent years, the polluter-pays principle has been strengthened: there is now an EU directive for almost every product group and the resulting transposition into national law. In the European Union, there are at least 27 different individual legislations per product group. A harmonisation of the regulations within the EU area has certainly been achieved and created – but there is no uniform system and we are facing a lot of challenges within Europe.
In order to achieve the collection quotas for waste in each product group targeted by the EU, the so-called extended producer responsibility (EPR) applies to all (internationally) operating manufacturers and dealers.
EPR compliance is standard, but there is often a lack of understanding and personnel to implement and handle it
Our experience shows that many manufacturers and deakers regularly reach their limits by dealing with their EPR. Even today, some market players are not even aware that they are affected by the legislation. They are lacking extensive know-how and methodological competence not only to identify and define all requirements and obligations, but also to meet them in their operational, daily business. Furthermore, there is the additional time and money required to meet legal obligations in all target markets. If you deal with the requirements on your own, there is less time left for your core business. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it is necessary to intensively deal with the topic for each individual case, especially the products and, in some cases, supply chains.
Without explicitly trained personnel, it is not possible to implement or track the ongoing changes in the individual countries. Therefore, companies are dependent on external consulting such as ECOLOGICON.
Our offer: We are providing comprehensive advice We are creating the necessary capacities externally. We are taking on some of the tasks and we are supporting the implementation. This also includes regular information on upcoming updates to the legislation.
The quantity of electrical and electronic equipment is increasing – the take-back rate remains low
There are several good reasonswhy the quantity sent for recycling and reuse should be increased:
- Electrical and electronic equipment contains pollutants that endanger people and the environment if they are not disposed of properly. They contain recyclable materials that can be reused after recovery. Both can only be ensured by professional treatment, which must be carried out in certified primary treatment facilities.
- The current take-back rate is too low compared to the EU-wide legal requirements. Anything that is not collected cannot be recycled or reused.
You can access the comprehensive article in the ENTSORGA magazine: https://www.umweltwirtschaft.com/epaper/umw/311/epaper/7616/38/index.html (available in German only)