Germany currently collects less than one-third of its electronic waste, far below the required 65 per cent target. Environmental Action Germany (German abbr. DUH) is therefore calling for a fundamental reform of the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act to put more responsibility on producers. This would majorly affect the retail sector: General take-back obligations are already very extensive, and expanding on EPR duties even further could significantly alter existing roles and redefine requirements for take-back, recording and logistics.
More EPR obligations are not necessarily the answer
While producers and retailers already play a key role in take-back schemes, collection rates are heavily influenced by consumer behaviour. Many old devices remain in households, are disposed of incorrectly, or are collected through informal channels. The biggest challenge is, therefore, increasing collection volumes rather than imposing additional obligations on companies that are already managing extensive compliance requirements. Furthermore, recycling performance is already relatively strong once devices enter the official system.
Any future reform should thus focus on how to return more waste electrical and electronic equipment to approved collection channels. Improving consumer awareness, increasing convenience, and reducing barriers to proper disposal may have a greater impact than simply redistributing responsibility between producers and retailers.
VERE e.V. is in contact with all relevant stakeholders and keeps its members informed of further developments via the “VERE Insider”.
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