Electronic Waste Management Is Now Mandatory: What Does the WEEE Regulation Say?

The “Regulation on the Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)” is a legal framework prepared in line with the principles of circular economy and resource efficiency. It aims to prevent the generation of electronic waste, support reuse, and define the processes of recycling and recovery. The regulation also ensures that waste is managed without harming the environment and human health within a zero-waste management system, and it establishes extended producer responsibility for manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment.

What Is Electronic Waste?

Electronic waste refers to used or broken electronic devices that are no longer functional, such as televisions, computers, mobile phones, and household appliances. If not managed properly, this waste can seriously damage the environment—but when recycled, it offers significant environmental and economic benefits.

Why Should We Recycle E-Waste?

E-waste contains heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium that can contaminate soil and water. However, when properly separated, it also includes valuable materials like gold, copper, and aluminum that can be recovered. Therefore, recycling e-waste is beneficial not only for the environment but also for the economy.

What Does the WEEE Regulation Require?

1. Stop Unregistered Collection: Collecting e-waste outside of official collection points is prohibited. Both consumers and producers share responsibility in this matter.

2. Obligations of Producers and Distributors:

• Manufacturers must register in the Ministry’s EEE Information System and upload the required documents by the end of March each year.

• Every item of e-waste must be registered, and registrations must be kept for at least five years. Missing or false information may result in serious penalties.

• Manufacturers must organize at least one e-waste awareness campaign annually and promote it via their social media accounts.

• Stores with a sales area of 400 m² or more are required to provide a dedicated e-waste collection point.

3. Consumer Rights: Distributors are obliged to collect the equivalent old electronic item from the same address, free of charge, when a new product is purchased even for remote (online) sales, if the consumer requests it.

4. Education and Awareness: Producers are not only responsible for selling their products but also for educating and raising awareness among consumers about e-waste.

5. Collection Targets: The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has set a collection target of 40% for e-waste in 2025. This target is expected to increase by 5% each year, reaching 65% by 2030.

What Can We Do?
As consumers, we should deliver our electronic waste to designated collection points, participate in awareness campaigns, and ensure e-waste is directed to recycling not to nature. Waste management is not just an environmental concern it is a concrete step we must all take for our shared future.