FAQs

WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) is the industry term for electrical waste, named after the EU Directive which covers its disposal. Electrical waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world.

Electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) is anything with a battery or a plug on it. Fluorescent tubes and low energy light bulbs are also classified as EEE by the regulations. Old-style filament light bulbs are not covered by the regulations. When electrical goods (EEE) become waste, they are considered ‘WEEE’.

The WEEE Directive was brought in to reduce increasing amounts of electrical waste (WEEE) going to landfill. The Directive requires electronic goods producers to pay for recycling this equipment when it becomes waste.

Producers (manufacturers and importers) of electronic and electrical goods have to join an authorised ‘producer compliance scheme’, also known as a WEEE compliance scheme. The producer pays its chosen scheme to collect and recycle WEEE on its behalf.

Ask your local authority where to dispose of it locally. All local authorities accept WEEE for free from households, usually at recycling centres. A WEEE compliance scheme will collect the WEEE from the local authority. This service is paid for by EEE producers. WEEE is also collected by retailers.

A PV system has several components, including groups of PV cells called ‘modules’ (also known as ‘panels’); at least one battery; a charge regulator or controller for a stand-alone system; an inverter for a utility-grid-connected system or when alternating current (AC) rather than direct current (DC) is required; wiring; and mounting hardware or a support framework.

The EU Batteries Directive compels battery producers to pay for the collection and recycling of spent batteries.

Producers must use a battery compliance scheme like ERP Norway to manage recycling on their behalf. All schemes are registered with the Environment Agency.

The definition of a battery producer extends beyond battery manufacturers. Any company which manufactures or imports batteries or products which contain batteries into Norway is considered a producer. Retailers which import their own brand batteries or batteries within products are also classified as producers.

See some of the different packaging recycling processes in our What happens to your waste guide.