WEEE

Washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, cookers. The first phase of recycling is decontamination. Cables and other electrical components are removed; ballasts, plastics, iron compounds and other metals are separated and recovered. These materials are then sent for further processing and recycling.

Refrigerators, freezers, automatic machines for cold products.

The products include refrigerators, freezers and all appliances with cooling units such as water coolers. Some appliances also contain refrigerant gases classified as ozone-depleting substances (ODP) such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) which are now banned.

These gases are captured and processed in ODP extraction facilities. Cold appliance cleaning involves a number of processes: compressors are decontaminated to recover ODP and oils; insulating foam is treated to restore ODP; metals are salvaged and resold, and plastics can be reused for new products.
Oils and ODP are destroyed in a specialized treatment process.

TVs, monitors, LCD, PC monitors.
Display equipment includes cathode ray tubes (found in old-fashioned TVs and computer monitors) and flat-screen TVs and computer monitors, such as plasma and liquid crystal (LCD) displays.

Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) contain dangerous phosphor powder, lead glass, copper and other rare metals. These materials can be reused to make new products. Panel and funnel glass from the cathode ray tubes are also recycled. The coating on the funnel glass is removed and the glass is cleaned for new CRT production.

Most LCD TVs use mercury lamps to illuminate the screen. To remove the lamps, the device must be disassembled before processing the LCD screen. Research is currently underway to develop more efficient, automated solutions.

Vacuum cleaners, sewing machines, irons, toasters, electric knives, hair dryers, radio sets, electric and electronic toys, fixtures;

This is the most complicated WEEE stream as a wide range of materials can be recycled: wood, metal, plastic, glass and cardboard.

This category includes appliances for cleaning (e.g. vacuum cleaners, carpet sweepers, etc.), appliances used for sewing, knitting, weaving and other processing of textiles, irons and other appliances for ironing and other care of clothes, toasters, deep fryers, grinders , coffee machines and equipment for opening or sealing containers or packages, electric knives, apparatus for hair cutting, hair drying, brushing teeth, shaving, massage and other body care appliances, clocks, watches and equipment for measuring, indicating or recording time, etc.

These devices are shredded, and plastics are separated from metals. Initial decontamination includes removal of ink toners, cartridges, batteries and cables.

straight fluorescent tubes, compact fluorescent tubes, low-pressure sodium lamps, LED lamps.

This category includes fluorescent tubes and low-energy light bulbs, also known as compact fluorescent tubes (CFL), while old-fashioned incandescent lamps and halogen lights are not categorized as WEEE.

Lamps are crushed and washed or treated in pressure vessels. Specialized machines are used to remove dangerous mercury and phosphorus. The remaining material is then sorted into glass, metals and plastics.

Phosphorus powder and recovered mercury can be reused to make new lamps. The broken glass can be used for oven linings or, if it is clean enough, to make new lamps. Aluminum end pieces are melted, and other metals are recycled.

Silicon-based PV panels require normal flat glass processing and no special removal of the semiconductor layer.

Non-silicon-based PV panels require special semiconductor removal technology and isolation of toxic heavy metals.

Centralized data processing:

• Mainframes, minicomputers and printer units

Personal data processing:

• Personal computers (CPU, mouse, screen and keyboard included), laptops (CPU, mouse, screen and keyboard included), laptops, notebooks

• Printers, copying equipment, electric and electronic typewriters

• Pocket and desktop calculators

• Other products and equipment for collecting, storing, processing, presenting or communicating information electronically

• User terminals and systems

• Fax machine (fax), telex, telephones, pay telephones, wireless telephones, mobile telephones, answering machines

• Other products or equipment for the transmission of sound, images or other information via telecommunications