The importance of collection
We fulfill the legal producer responsibility for devices, lamps, and batteries
Together with our partners, we aim to achieve the legal targets for collection and processing. Municipalities, retailers, and all other locations where consumers and businesses can hand in their discarded devices, lamps, and batteries play a vital role in the collection process.
The Role of Municipalities in Collection
The ambition of the VANG-Household Waste program is to support municipalities in taking the necessary steps toward a circular economy. To achieve higher-quality recycling, VANG-Household Waste focuses on improving the separation of residual waste and enhancing the quality of waste streams. Many municipalities have integrated this into their policies, resulting in reduced residual waste and increased separation rates. By handing in discarded devices, lamps, and batteries separately, municipalities contribute to these goals.
Legal Obligations for Municipalities
Municipalities are required to:
- Provide a location where residents can drop off discarded electrical devices, energy-efficient lamps, and batteries free of charge.
- Deliver the collected products exclusively to a CENELEC-certified processor.
- Hand over the specified products to Stichting OPEN, ensuring full compliance with legal obligations.
In addition to these requirements, it is crucial that discarded devices within the municipality are separated at the point of collection. This ensures proper processing and reduces residual waste.
A benchmark for municipalities
Municipalities that collaborate with us regularly receive the “Electrical waste benchmark for municipalities.” The goal of this benchmark is to provide insights into the current status of discarded devices, lamps, and batteries. This helps us monitor areas for improvement. Together with municipalities, we aim to prevent these products from ending up in residual waste, which still happens too often. This results in lost raw materials and harmful substances being released into the environment.
Are you a municipality (or municipal recycling center) and want to learn more? Feel free to contact our municipal account manager, Michèle Donck.
The role of retailers in collection
Research shows that consumers prefer to hand in their discarded electrical devices, lamps, and batteries close to home. The more collection points available, the better. In collaboration with the industry, we developed a collection unit. This Wecycle collection unit offers a reliable service level, with significant attention to safe working conditions and unit safety. Retailers can easily monitor whether the unit is full and arrange for timely emptying. When a new unit is installed, a manual and explanation are always provided.
Legal obligations for retailers
Retailers are legally required to collect discarded devices, lamps, and batteries under the “old-for-new” regulation. If you sell devices (with built-in) batteries and/or accumulators, you are obligated to accept discarded devices, batteries, and (bicycle) accumulators from end users. We offer a convenient collection solution to help you meet legal requirements. The take-back obligation includes:
- Actively promoting your location as a collection point.
- Accepting all discarded devices, lamps, batteries, and accumulators from end users.
- Accepting discarded devices, lamps, and batteries free of charge.
- Delivering the collected devices, lamps, and batteries to Stichting OPEN.
Beyond the legal obligation, collecting discarded devices, lamps, and batteries is important for two other reasons. First, it is a societal responsibility. Second, it contributes to customer satisfaction. People feel good when they can hand in a discarded device, lamp, or battery at your store. The Wecycle collection unit enhances this positive experience!
Do you have a store and want to learn more? Feel free to contact our business market advisor, Raymond Onink.
The role of installers in collection
If you sell devices (with built-in) batteries, lamps, or accumulators as an installer, you are required to accept these discarded products when end users offer them. Visit wecyclevoorbedrijven.nl for safe and free disposal options.
Extra support for your residents or customers
Do you, as a municipality, store, petting zoo, or other collection point, want to do even more for your residents or customers? Help them recycle their discarded devices, lamps, and batteries in the following ways:
- Inform them about handing in discarded devices, lamps, and batteries. A great opportunity for this is during the National Wecycle Week in October. Check out our communication kit for ideas.
- Create more collection points, such as a mobile recycling center.
- Improve the routing at your recycling center.
- Raise awareness among employees.
- As a municipality, partner with local thrift stores.
- Maintain your collection point by contacting us in time for emptying.