The WEEE directive requires 10 categories of electrical 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 (in Annex II) of parts that have to be removed and then recycled separately. The Directive also includes a requirement that manufacturers design equipment so that they can easily be 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 (by which 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 is 65%.
The dismantling time for products can vary enormously depending on whether 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 products for easy dismantling into their major parts (PCBs, enclosure, etc.) which 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 charges to their members are based on weight sold.
Directive Decoder
Gary Nevison, Head of Legislation at 
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