WEEE RECYCLING | INNOVATION


Specialist recyclers of plastics from waste electronic and electrical equipment are investing in new technology, while R&D projects are tackling the problem of legacy additives, reports David Eldridge


Uphill progress in WEEE plastics sector


Plastics recycling from waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) is a sector that faces some specific challenges. WEEE collection and recycling rates are low relative to other sectors, partly because of issues with producer responsibil- ity schemes. Recycling of electronic waste is technically complicated due to the mixture of metals and variety of polymers (such as ABS, PC, PC-ABS, PA, PMMA) contained in products. Then there is the issue of legacy additives to deal with in some WEEE plastics. Many companies and organi- sations, though, are continuing to make a great effort to make circular systems work through investments in recycling facilities, collaborative R&D projects and the creation of products using recycled WEEE plastics. Germany provides a good illustration of the


difficulty in making substantial progress in WEEE recycling. The country’s Electrical and Electronic


www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com


Equipment Act has had mixed success. BVSE, the German recyclers’ association, said in June: “Germany is still a long way from achieving the prescribed minimum collection rate for waste electrical and electronic equipment of 65%.” The minimum 65% rate has been in effect since


January 2019 (based on the average weight of the electrical and electronic devices newly placed on the market in the three previous years). However, BVSE says the amount of WEEE collected has levelled off at an average of around 853,000 tonnes per year, equivalent to a rate of about 45%. The Act established a responsibility framework


for WEEE sector players – manufacturers, retailers, municipal authorities, certified recyclers and others – but the underperformance of the system has led the German government to propose amendments to the Act. The amendments, which are intended to come into force on 1 January 2022, would extend


July/August 2021 | PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD 21


Main image: Fridge recycling is contributing to availability of recycled WEEE polymers


IMAGE: AO


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