Asekol > Consumers > What, why and how we recycle?
What, why and how we recycle?
WHY we recycle
For decades electrical appliances have been an integral part of our lives. They facilitate our performance of everyday obligations, help us in our work and provide us with entertainment. They are being developed at an increasing rate and they ever more readily available. However, all this encompasses a serious problem: what should their destiny be once they wear out?
Approximately 6 million tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment are produced in Europe every year. The quantity of electronic waste grows at a rate of 3 to 5 % annually, i.e. almost three times faster than the total volume of waste. Ferrous, non-ferrous and precious metals, glass, plastics and other raw materials are being increasingly recovered from used electrical appliances. Recycling fulfills the concepts of sustainable development, not only from the environmental viewpoint, but also in economic terms. The more EEE entering the recycling process, the fewer are the natural resources that must be extracted to produce new products. On the other hand, materials harmful to health, which are contained in a number of appliances, can be caught and eliminated in an environmentally sound manner during recycling.
Since August 2005, the law has stipulated the duty of producers and importers to care for their products after the end of their lifetime. Upon purchase of a new product, consumers pay a contribution to recycling of historical EEE. They may hand over their old appliances, free of charge, at a waste collection yard, in the store where they purchased them or at one of a number of other collection sites.
If you discard your old electronic appliances by simply throwing them into a waste bin for mixed waste, you commit a misdemeanor for which you are liable to a fine of up to twenty thousand crowns imposed in administrative proceedings. However, more importantly, this conduct is not respectful to the environment and other people.
WHAT we recycle
The Asekol company provides for take-back and recycling of the following types of used electrical appliances:
IT and telecommunications equipment (group 3 pursuant to the Waste Act)
This includes, e.g.:
- All types of computer monitors
- Other IT equipment (e.g. computers, laptops, cards, optical mechanics, mice, keyboards)
- Telephones (classical, wireless and cellular)
- Faxes and answering machines
- Printers, small desktop copiers
- Calculators
Consumer equipment (group 4 pursuant to the Waste Act)
This includes, e.g.:
- All types of TV sets
- All other consumer electronics including accessories (e.g. video recorders, DVD players, radios, HiFi systems, tape recorders, gramophones, home cinemas, loudspeakers, remote controls, headsets, etc.)
- Video cameras, digital and analogue still cameras including accessories (e.g., telescopic lenses, flash attachments, etc.)
Toys, leisure and sports equipment (group 7 pursuant to the Waste Act)
This includes, e.g.:
- Calculators
- Game consoles, video games including controls (joysticks, gamepads, etc.)
- Electric toys (e.g. model car tracks, model trains, RC models, etc.)
Taking back and recycling of other types of appliances and products is provided by
EKOLAMP s.r.o. – Lighting equipment
Elektrowin a.s. – Large and small household appliances, electrical and electronic tools
ECOBAT s.r.o. – Portable batteries
EKO-KOM a.s. – Packages
HOW we recycle
Life-cycle of a product
Approximately 6 million tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment are produced in Europe every year. The quantity of electronic waste grows at a rate of 3 to 5 % annually, i.e. almost three times faster than the total volume of waste. Ferrous, non-ferrous and precious metals, glass, plastics and other raw materials are being increasingly recovered from used electrical appliances. Recycling fulfills the concepts of sustainable development, not only from the environmental viewpoint, but also in economic terms. The more EEE entering the recycling process, the fewer are the natural resources that must be extracted to produce new equipment. On the other hand, materials harmful to health, which are contained in a number of appliances, can be caught and eliminated in an environmentally sound manner during recycling.
Collection
- The address and operating hours of a collection site can be found here
- First you bring the used EEE to the collection site. The personnel then determines where the equipment may be deposited free of charge. In order to enable recycling of EEE, it must not be handed over dismantled.
- If your municipality organizes mobile collection of waste, including taking back of EEE, you may also utilize this service
- ASEKOL provides for the subsequent transport and treatment of submitted EEE.
Treatment
Recycling means reuse, i.e. reintroduction into the cycle, where the use of waste saves natural resources and reduces burdening of the environment by harmful substances. Secondary raw materials obtained from recycling are cheaper than new extraction. For example, an average cellular telephone with the weight of 100 grams contains 15 g of copper, 0.4 grams of precious metals (gold, silver, platinum) and 30 grams of plastics.
In addition to recycling, WEEE may also be subjected to energy recovery.
The required degree of recovery of WEEE is exactly specified in the Waste Act. According to the Act, it is necessary to provide for recycling of 50 to 80 % of each electrical appliance. The specific rate of reuse differs according to the types of the individual electrical appliances.
Dismantling and recycling is performed for ASEKOL by specialized companies throughout the Czech Republic. A list is available here.
Our partners also include sheltered workshops. Thus, take-back services also enable employment of handicapped citizens.
Published on: 20. 02. 2009
Author: Hana Ansorgová