This is how you can get rid of e-waste

If you want to dispose of smaller electronic devices, you often throw them in the dustbin. Of course, if you want to get rid of a washing machine, that’s not possible. Apart from that, something like this is anything but sustainable. We’ll tell you how you can get rid of your e-waste and sometimes even do something good.

Electrical devices consist of many parts that can either be returned to the material cycle or do not even belong in the normal garbage. We explain how you dispose of electronic waste and where you can hand in old washing machines, radios or TVs.

Returning electronic devices in stores and online

Since January 1, 2022, there have been strict take-back obligations for electronic devices that apply to online trade, but also to any business that sells electronic devices constantly or at least occasionally (supermarkets).

For example, if your supermarket offers toasters, vacuum cleaners or computers from time to time, under certain circumstances it has to take back electronic devices and dispose of them free of charge. However, this only applies if the sales area of ​​the supermarket is at least 800 m² amounts to.

online retailer must also take back electronic devices – even if their sales or storage and shipping area is at least 400 m² is big. For devices with a Edge length over 25 cm they have to ask you at the point of sale whether you have to take an old device with you when it is delivered.

Rules for taking back e-waste

• Dealers with a sales area for electrical and electronic equipment of at least 400 m² as grocerwho occasionally sell electronics and a Retail space from 800 m² must accept old electronic devices and dispose of them properly.
• Is the Sales or location area of ​​an electrical appliance dealer less than 400 m²he must yours Don’t accept devices. The same applies to grocers less than 800 m² have retail space.
• With intermediaries or Amazon Marketplace dealers the storage area of ​​the devices appliesregardless of the dealer and is usually well over 400 m². So someone who sells their devices via Amazon and has them shipped from there, for example, still has to take back old electronic devices.
• The so-called “0:1” rule states that dealer Electrical devices up to a maximum edge length of 25 cm must accept without the customer having to buy another device or show a receipt.
• Are the Devices larger than 25 cm edge lengththe “1:1” rule: In that case they only have to take back the electronic devices if a device of the same type is bought new.
• The assumption strong dirty devices may refused will.
  
• the acceptance and disposal got to for free take place. However, you have to your the transportation costs take over.

Many large online retailers use external disposal companies.

This is how you dispose of e-waste

Dispose of electronic devices yourself or have them collected

As a last measure, you can still dispose of defective electronic devices at your place of residence. In all cities and municipalities there are institutions such as the “Recycling Center” or “Recycling Center” where you can hand in washing machines and other large electrical appliances yourself.

Another option is to dispose of electronic devices by having them collected by waste disposal companies. Similar to bulky waste collection, you can request collection in most cases by telephone, email or using a form. At the agreed time, a vehicle will come and charge your electronic devices.

You can also place appliances such as washing machines, dryers or refrigerators on eBay or eBay classifieds. So you might get something for it and the devices will be picked up at your home.

Under no circumstances should you just put the devices on the street and maybe write “For free” on them. If this is the case, there are high fines in many places.

Collection container for small devices – dispose of electronic waste and do good

In some places there are collection containers for small devices, in which you can dispose of e-waste up to a certain size. The advantage of this method is that this waste is not only recycled professionally, but that the cities and municipalities also receive financial compensation in a worthwhile amount. For each filled collection box there is cash money, which benefits the place as additional income.

The size of the electronic devices to be disposed of is limited by the dimensions of the slot. Toasters or radios fit through without any problems, a vacuum cleaner or a PC case can be problematic. The devices can be 20-30 cm high and about 70 cm long.

However, batteries and accumulators have no place in these collection containers. Because of the possible fire hazard, you should remove them beforehand and dispose of the batteries, for example by throwing them in supermarket collection boxes.

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