e-Waste Definition
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. While there is no generally accepted definition of e-waste, often it is associated with relatively expensive and essentially durable products used for data processing, telecommunications or entertainment in private households and businesses. But the ever increasing digitalisation of products blurs such a distinction from former electrical appliance such as a kettle, a boiler or an oven; all do or will soon contain electronic circuits and ultimately become e-waste.
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 as well as harmful 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. containing precious metals, flame retarded plastics CFC foams and many other substances.
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, Latops, 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 |
I am glad I found this
I am glad I found this post, I was actually searching for such information as I recently bought new dryer parts and now I am in trouble because I don't know how to handle the old one. I really care for the environment and I won't accept compromise. You are very informative, thanks!