Environment and disposal

Environment and Disposal

Electrical and Electronic Equipment – Information for Private Households

The Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) contains various regulations regarding the handling of electrical and electronic devices. The most important points are summarized here.

1. Separate Collection of Old Devices

Electrical and electronic devices that have become waste are referred to as old devices. Owners of such devices must ensure that they are collected separately from unsorted municipal waste. Old devices should not be disposed of in household waste but instead taken to special collection and return systems.

2. Batteries, Accumulators, and Lamps

Owners of old devices must remove old batteries, accumulators, and lamps from them before disposal, provided these components are not enclosed within the device. This does not apply if the old device is being prepared for reuse by a public waste management authority.

3. Options for Returning Old Devices

Owners of old devices from private households can dispose of them free of charge at:

Collection points of public waste management authorities

Collection points established by manufacturers or retailers in accordance with ElektroG

To find a nearby collection point, visit: www.take-e-back.de

Retailers that must accept returns include:

Stores with a sales area of at least 400 m² for electrical and electronic devices

Grocery stores with a total sales area of at least 800 m² if they sell electrical and electronic devices regularly

This also applies to online retailers if their storage and shipping area for electrical and electronic devices is at least 400 m² or their total storage and shipping area is at least 800 m². Online retailers must ensure that there are appropriate return options within a reasonable distance for end users.

Conditions for Free Returns:

If a new, similar device (with essentially the same functions) is purchased, the old device can be returned for free.

If a new device is delivered to a private household, a similar old device can be collected for free at the time of delivery.

For devices categorized as "heat exchangers," "screen devices," or "large appliances" (at least one external dimension over 50 cm), consumers are asked about their intent to return an old device when purchasing a new one.

Small devices (no larger than 25 cm in any dimension) can be returned for free at retailer collection points without purchasing a new device (limited to three items per device type).

4. Data Protection Notice

Old devices often contain sensitive personal data, especially IT and telecommunications equipment such as computers and smartphones. It is the responsibility of each end user to delete their data before disposal.

5. Meaning of the "Crossed-out Waste Bin" Symbol

The crossed-out waste bin symbol found on electrical and electronic devices indicates that the device must be disposed of separately from unsorted municipal waste at the end of its lifecycle.

6. Waste Prevention Notice

According to Directive 2008/98/EU on Waste, waste prevention takes precedence over waste management. For electrical and electronic devices, waste prevention measures include:

Extending the lifespan of devices through repair

Selling used, functional devices instead of discarding them

For more information, refer to the Federal Waste Prevention Program, involving Germany’s federal and state governments: https://www.bmuv.de/publikation/abfallvermeidungsprogramm-des-bundes-unter-beteiligung-der-laender/