The EU WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment) Directive requires 10 categories of electrical and electronic equipment to be collected, treated, recycled and disposed of when it reaches end-of-life. The directive sets targets for the percentages of materials that must be recovered and includes a list of parts that have to be removed and then recycled separately. The Directive also includes a requirement that manufacturers design equipment so that it can be easily recycled although this has not yet been translated into national legislation in any EU State.
Recycling is a cost that can be significant and is paid for by the producer (usually the manufacturer or importer). In effect it is a sales cost, as it must be financed when the product is sold. The cost of recycling can be influenced by the design of the equipment although whether the manufacturer can realise these benefits depends on whether they collect and recycle their own equipment at end of life (in which case they can) or if it is collected and recycled by compliance schemes that collect a wide range of products from many producers (where the benefits are more limited).
The main cost of recycling is usually labour which is required for dismantling equipment to separate the parts listed in Annex II. These parts include batteries, LCDs, printed circuit boards and plastics containing brominated flame retardants.
It is worth bearing in mind that in most types of products, it is essential that plastics can be separated and re-used to meet the EU recycling targets. For example, on average, IT equipment contains 65% plastic and the recycling target for the product category is 65%.
The dismantling time for products can vary enormously depending on whether or not they are designed for easy recycling. The overall cost of recycling will depend on many factors including dismantling time and therefore designers should consider what happens to their products at end-of-life.
For example:
• Design components / assemblies that can be easily dismantled into their equipment (PCBs, enclosures, etc.) and those that can be recycled separately and economically
• Removing screws is time consuming whereas plastic clips can be undone more quickly. Use as few screws as possible.
• Marking larger plastic parts with the type of plastic (and flame retardant) aids recycling of plastics. Single types have a value and can be sold whereas unidentified mixtures have very little value
• Avoid metal inserts in plastic mouldings, these reduce the value of the plastic to zero
• Avoid labels that are incompatible with recycling
• Consider metal housings, these are easier to recycle and the recycled metal has value, but avoid combining metals as much as is feasible. Steel, copper and aluminium have most value when free from each other.
Weight is also an issue as WEEE has to be transported. Even if compliance is achieved through a compliance scheme, savings can be made by reducing the weight of equipment. Most schemes charge their members based on weight sold.
In North America, there is currently no national collection programme for used electronic equipment. However, numerous states, counties and local governments have implemented requirements for the management of electronic waste. Several Trade Organisations are calling for a harmonised approach.
The US Environmental Protection Agency is encouraging manufacturers to address the challenge by taking environmental considerations into account at the earliest stages of product design.
When purchasing new electronic equipment, buyers are asked to look for “green” products that:
• Are made with fewer toxic constituents
• Use recycled content
• Are energy efficient
• Are designed for easy upgrading or disassembly
• Use fewer screws and more snap-fit parts
• Utilise minimal packaging
• Have been recognised by independent certification groups as environmentally preferable
Some manufacturers are replacing difficult to recycle plastics at the design stage with lighter, more durable metals that be recycled easily.
Finally, does the consumer really care?
Well, 96% of Canadians say they prefer to buy products that can be recycled efficiently at the end of their performance life, and 88% would be prepared to spend more on environmentally friendly options.
To achieve this, improvements in the recycling process must start early in the design phase.
Gary Nevison, Head of Legislation at 
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