product responsibility

The agencies from nearly 20 EU countries responsible for the enforcement of the European WEEE Directive have formed a network. UBA initiated the constitutional meeting on 7-8 September 2017. The representatives from all participating EU-countries agreed to cooperate more closely in the future in order to prosecute non-compliant producers who trade across borders more effectively.

Electrical and electronic waste contains recyclable metals and other materials; recycling them saves resources and protects the environment. But electrical and electronic waste often contains toxic substances, which if not properly disposed of, can cause pollution and health problems. It is for this reason that electrical and electronic waste is collected separately.

Batteries are ubiquitous nowadays and enable us to use many different kinds of mobile devices independently of the power grid. The environmental and resource relevance of batteries stems from the valuable and hazardous substances they may contain. Hence under no circumstances should batteries ever be disposed of with household waste.

Germany has more than 40 million registered cars, which are replete with recyclable steel, copper, light metals, precious metals, glass, tires and plastic. But these vehicles also contain environmental pollutants such as motor oil, brake fluid, CFCs and lead. Hence when a car is scrapped, it’s essential that it be drained, dismantled and recycled in an environmentally sound manner.

Certain types of products such as packaging, electrical devices and cars are made of plastic in whole or in part, and at some point become waste. In the interest of recovering these plastics, various regulations of producer responsibility have been enacted with the goal of ensuring that these materials are optimally recycled.

Under waste management law, manufacturers are required to assume responsibility for any product that engenders waste, particularly when it comes to taking products back and recycling them. Such stewardship is meant to encourage manufacturers to prevent waste already during the product design and manufacturing phases, and to ensure that end-of-life products can be recycled.

When it comes to collecting, sorting and transporting waste, a distinction is made between systematic and systemless approaches. The kirbside collection of bundled waste paper is an example of the latter. On the other hand various container systems are used for waste collection. Whereas residual waste is collected in gray containers, separate collection systems are used for a range of waste.

The aims of the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) are "to protect the environment and health" and "to conserve natural resources". The basic prerequisites for achieving these aims are to prevent waste and an efficent, high quality recycling. The ElektroG also requires producers to assume responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products.