Circularity in the Danish WEEE Management System A study on emphasizing reuse of electronic equipment in Denmark
Author
Idzerda, Sybren Douwe Frederik
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2022
Submitted on
2022-06-02
Pages
70
Abstract
Waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)—such as phones, laptops, and household appliances—is one of the fastest‑growing waste streams. If it is not handled correctly, treatment can cause environmental and social harms. Today, recycling is the most common way to manage WEEE, but in a circular economy it is often better to keep products in use longer through reuse. This thesis examines why recycling remains more prevalent than reuse in Denmark’s WEEE management system and how to change that balance. The study included a review of existing research and a series of interviews to identify the main barriers to reuse, explore system improvements, and gather examples from other EU Member States that promote reuse. “Preparation for reuse” (PfR) means testing, cleaning, and repairing discarded equipment so it can be used again. “Ecodesign” refers to designing products to be easier to repair, disassemble, and recycle. Based on the findings, the thesis recommends: building a unified, nationwide network of reuse centres within the Danish WEEE system; increasing harmonization of the EU WEEE Directive across Member States so rules are aligned; introducing modulated producer fees that reward better ecodesign; requiring product markings that make disassembly easier and signal a product’s ecodesign features; and setting quotas to achieve specific reuse targets.
Affald fra elektrisk og elektronisk udstyr (WEEE) – som fx telefoner, computere og husholdningsapparater – er en af de hurtigst voksende affaldsstrømme. Forkert behandling kan give miljømæssige og sociale skader, så korrekt håndtering er vigtig. I dag er genvinding (recycling) den mest udbredte behandlingsform, men i en cirkulær økonomi er det ofte bedre at forlænge produkters levetid gennem genbrug. Dette speciale undersøger, hvorfor genvinding fylder mere end genbrug i Danmarks WEEE‑system, og hvordan balancen kan ændres. Studiet bestod af et litteraturstudie og en række interviews for at identificere de vigtigste barrierer for genbrug, pege på mulige forbedringer og indsamle eksempler fra andre EU‑lande, der fremmer genbrug. “Forberedelse med henblik på genbrug” (PfR) betyder at teste, rense og reparere udstyr, så det kan bruges igen. “Ecodesign” betyder at designe produkter, så de er lettere at reparere, skille ad og genvinde. På den baggrund anbefales det at: etablere et samlet, landsdækkende netværk af genbrugscentre i det danske WEEE‑system; øge harmoniseringen af WEEE‑direktivet på tværs af medlemsstater, så reglerne bliver mere ens; indføre modulerede producentgebyrer, hvor afgiften justeres efter produktets ecodesign‑egenskaber; kræve produktmærkning, som gør adskillelse lettere og synliggør indsatsen for ecodesign; samt fastsætte kvoter for konkrete genbrugsmål.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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