e-Waste for short – or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) – is the term used to describe old, end-of-life or discarded appliances using electricity. It includes computers, consumer electronics, fridges, etc which have been disposed of by their original users.
On this website – the e-Waste Guide – “e-waste” is used as a generic term embracing all types of waste containing electrically powered components. e-Waste contains both valuable materials as well as hazardous materials which require special handling and recycling methods. This guide covers all categories of e-waste but emphasizes categories which contain problematic, scarce and valuable or otherwise interesting materials.
Examples: Computers, LCD / CRT screens, cooling appliances, mobile phones, etc., contain precious metals, flame retarded plastics, CFC foams, and many other substances.
Also Read: 10 Best Garbage Disposal Reviews
The graphic below compares the categories of e-waste as used in the Swiss and EU legislation (CH ORDEE and the EU WEEE Directive)
| Swiss ORDEE regulations | EU WEEE Directive | |
| Household Appliances Washing machines, Dryers, Refrigerators, Air-conditioners, Vacuum cleaners, Coffee Machines, Toasters, Irons, etc. |
Large Household Appliances Washing machines, Dryers, Refrigerators, Air-conditioners, etc. |
|
| Small Household Appliances Vacuum cleaners, Coffee Machines, Irons, Toasters, etc |
||
| Office, Information & Communication Equipment PCs, Laptops, Mobiles, Telephones, Fax Machines, Copiers, Printers, etc. |
Office, Information & Communication Equipment PCs, Latops, Mobiles, Telephones, Fax Machines, Copiers, Printers etc. |
|
| Entertainment & Consumer Electronics Televisions, VCR/DVD/CD players, Hi-Fi sets, Radios, etc |
Entertainment & Consumer Electronics Televisions, VCR/DVD/CD players, Hi-Fi sets, Radios, etc |
|
| Lighting Equipment Fluorescent tubes, sodium lamps, etc. (Except Bulbs, Halogen Bulbs) |
Lighting Equipment Fluorescent tubes, sodium lamps, etc. (Except Bulbs, Halogen Bulbs) |
|
| Electric and Electronic Tools Drills, Electric saws, Sewing Machines, Lawn Mowers, etc. (Except large stationary tools/machines) |
Electric and Electronic Tools Drills, Electric saws, Sewing Machines, Lawn Mowers, etc. (Except large stationary tools/machines) |
|
| Toys, Leisure, Sports, and Recreational Equipment Electric train sets, coin slot machines, treadmills, etc. |
Toys, Leisure, Sports, and Recreational Equipment Electric train sets, coin slot machines, treadmills, etc. |
|
| Medical Instruments and Equipment | Medical Instruments and Equipment | |
| Surveillance and Control Equipment | Surveillance and Control Equipment | |
| Automatic Issuing Machines | Automatic Issuing Machines |
Legend:
| Under ORDEE since 1998 | |
| Under ORDEE since January 2005 | |
| Not under ORDEE but under separate regulation | |
| WEEE Directive implemented by Member States by August 2005 – 08 |
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