DISPOSAL / RECYCLING
Manufacturer information in accordance with Section 18 Paragraph 4 ElektroG
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES – INFORMATION FOR PRIVATE HOUSEHOLDS
The Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) contains a variety of requirements for the handling of electrical and electronic equipment. The most important requirements are compiled here.
1. Separate collection of old devices
Electrical and electronic equipment that has become waste is referred to as old equipment. Owners of old devices must collect them separately from unsorted municipal waste. In particular, old devices do not belong in the household waste, but in special collection and return systems.
2. Batteries and rechargeable batteries as well as lamps
Owners of old devices must generally separate old batteries and accumulators that are not enclosed by the old device, as well as lamps that can be removed from the old device without destroying them, from the old device before handing them over to a collection point. This does not apply if old devices are prepared for reuse with the involvement of a public waste disposal agency.
3. Options for returning old devices
Owners of old devices from private households can hand them in free of charge at the collection points of the public waste disposal authorities or at the collection points set up by manufacturers or distributors in accordance with the ElektroG.
Shops with a sales area of at least 400 m² for electrical and electronic equipment as well as those grocery stores with a total sales area of at least 800 m² that offer electrical and electronic equipment several times a year or permanently and make them available on the market are subject to take-back. This also applies to sales using means of distance communication if the storage and shipping areas for electrical and electronic equipment are at least 400 m² or the total storage and shipping areas are at least 800 m². Distributors must generally ensure return through suitable return options within a reasonable distance from the respective end user.
The possibility of returning an old device free of charge exists for distributors who are obliged to take it back, among other things, if a new, similar device that essentially fulfills the same functions is given to an end user. If a new device is delivered to a private household, the old device of the same type can also be handed over there for collection free of charge; This applies to sales using means of distance communication for devices in categories 1, 2 or 4 in accordance with Section 2 Paragraph 1 ElektroG, namely “heat exchangers”, “screen devices” or “large devices” (the latter with at least one external dimension over 50 centimeters). End users are asked about their intention to return when concluding a purchase contract. There is also the possibility of returning free of charge to the distributor's collection points, regardless of the purchase of a new device, for old devices that are not larger than 25 centimeters in any external dimension, limited to three old devices per device type.
4. Data Protection Notice
Old devices often contain sensitive personal data. This applies in particular to information and telecommunications technology devices such as computers and smartphones. In your own interest, please note that each end user is responsible for deleting the data on the old devices to be disposed of.
5. Meaning of the "crossed-out wheeled bin" symbol
The symbol of a crossed-out garbage can, which is regularly shown on electrical and electronic devices, indicates that the device in question must be collected separately from unsorted municipal waste at the end of its service life.
6. Meaning of the recycling symbol
Packaging materials (cardboard, paper, polystyrene, plastic film, etc.) are raw materials that can be reused and returned to the recycling loop. Please ensure that packaging materials no longer needed are disposed of in accordance with local regulations.
