1. The situation WEEE’re in
St Julians, Malta
26-27 April 2017
Philip Morton

2. First we need to get our minds thinking creatively!

3. Something we need to avoid
STANDING
MISS

4. Something we can’t do
KCOLC

5. Recycling rate goes up
The material recycling rate ( ) goes up for most collection streams, but is under increasing pressure.
Large Household Appliances
Cooling and Freezing Appliances
IT excluding Screens
Other White and Brown Goods
Screens
Lamps
© WEEE Forum Key Figures

6. Recycling rate goes up
The material recycling rate ( ) goes up for most collection streams, but is under increasing pressure.
Large Household Appliances
Cooling and Freezing Appliances
IT excluding Screens
Other White and Brown Goods
Screens
Lamps
© WEEE Forum Key Figures

7. Collection rate goes up
Most member states continue to steadily collect more ( ) (kg/inhabitant). BE AT CH CZ DE DK EE ES FR GB GR HU IE IT LU NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK 30 20 10
© WEEE Forum Key Figures

8. Collection performance
Which member states reached the 45% target in (against equipment sold in )? Clearly, the target is too ambitious for most member states.
Collection performance
6.6
2.79
2.12
0.61
0.36
0.35
0.05
-0.02
-0.62
-0.54
-1.09
-1.39
-1.05
-0.85
-1.73
-2.12
-2.65 AT BE CH CZ DE EE ES FR GB GR IE IT NL NO PL PT SI
© WEEE Forum Key Figures

9. New collection targets today
Member states’ kg/inhabitant target of 45% of equipment sold ( )...
25.31
11.98
9.47
9.84
10.76
8.50
9.07
8.17
7.67
6.68
5.78
4.89
5.31
5.84
5.15
5.95
4.49
4.41 AT BE CH CZ DE EE ES FR GB GR IE IT LT NL NO PL PT SI
© WEEE Forum Key Figures

10. 2019 collection target very ambitious...
“In 2020 around 10 million tonnes, or roughly 20 kg per capita, will be separately collected in the EU.”
Source: European Commission
The 2019 collection target of 65% of equipment sold, or 85% of WEEE generated will be extremely ambitious for almost all member states.
© UNU

11. Unless we... Encourage co-operation among stakeholders Count all WEEE
Improve law enforcement
Ensure that responsibility is accompanied by authority

12. T
The Future

13. 1. Encourage co-operation among stakeholders
The WEEE chain is complex. It takes many actions by different stakeholders at different policy levels to address vulnerabilities.
Avoid conflictual model. Bring all actors around the table. Encourage co- operation and innovation. Each actor has its responsibilities.
© Shutterstock

14. 2. Count all WEEE Two-thirds of all WEEE is not officially reported.
Create independent Monitoring Council and register. Make all actors report. Count all WEEE.

15. 3. Improve law enforcement
The legislative tools are there, but they need to be effectively implemented. Law enforcement is critical to reach the WEEE targets.
Implement the recommendations of the ground-breaking CWIT project.
Consider using WEEELABEX protocols and tools as support for inspectors.

16. 4. No responsibility without authority
Producers cannot be held liable for costs beyond their control. They must have authority to manage and control all the costs they have to finance.
© Shutterstock

17. Furthermore Enforce uniform calculation method Secure solid financing
Anticipate free-riding among internet sellers
Make EN standards legally binding

18. 1. Enforce uniform calculation method
The standards require downstream monitoring. The first operator monitors fractions downstream.
We require a verifiable and accurate basis for calculation of recycling and recovery rates and monitoring of hazardous waste streams.
Enforce a uniform method to calculate recycling rates.
© EERA

19. 2. Secure robust financing
The transition to a Circular Economy requires robust financing.
Together, we need to explore this opportunity.
We will contribute to any study on the feasibility of a European approach towards a modulation of fees across Europe.
© Pexels

20. 3. Anticipate free-riding among internet sellers
How significant are direct sales to households and businesses from overseas, i.e. not going via a national importer/distributor?
Are legal obligations deliberately avoided?
What can be done to raise awareness of, audit and chase overseas suppliers who are undertaking direct sales online, and potentially acting illegally?
What are the measures that can help address free-riders? Customs? Labelling? National couriers?
© Independent Balkan News Agency

21. 4. Make EN 50625 legally binding
The WEEELABEX standards were the seed of EN series of standards.
Follow the example of the Netherlands, Ireland, France, Belgium, Lithuania and Slovenia, and make the standards legally binding. Or sign agreements putting them into practice, as Italy and Czechia did.
The Waste Directive should require a Commission Implementing Regulation that makes the standards binding.
© EERA

22. You’ve heard the situation we’re in, and our suggestions on how to address today’s challenges. So now we turn to Pascal, Lucía, Petr, Richard, Norbert and Elizabeth to tell us what difference the WEEE Forum has made in those 15 years.