Take-back of old devices
Electrical and electronic equipment
Information for private households
The Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) contains numerous requirements for the handling of electrical and electronic equipment. The most important ones are summarized here.
1. Separate collection of old equipment
Electrical and electronic equipment that has become waste is referred to as old equipment. Owners of old equipment must dispose of it separately from unsorted municipal waste. Old equipment, in particular, does not belong in household waste, but rather in special collection and return systems.
2. Batteries and rechargeable batteries as well as lamps
Owners of old devices must, as a rule, separate old batteries and accumulators that are not enclosed within the device, as well as lamps that can be removed from the device without causing damage, from the device before handing them over to a collection point. This does not apply if old devices are prepared for reuse with the involvement of a public waste disposal authority.
3. Options for returning old devices
Owners of old appliances from private households can hand them in free of charge at the collection points of the public waste disposal authorities or at the collection points set up by manufacturers or distributors in accordance with the ElektroG.
Stores with a sales area of at least 400 m² for electrical and electronic equipment, as well as grocery stores with a total sales area of at least 800 m² that offer and make available electrical and electronic equipment several times a year or permanently, are required to take back electrical and electronic equipment. This also applies to sales using distance communication means if the storage and shipping area for electrical and electronic equipment is at least 400 m² or the total storage and shipping area is at least 800 m². Distributors must generally ensure take-back by providing suitable return facilities within a reasonable distance from the respective end user.
The option of returning old equipment free of charge to distributors subject to take-back obligations exists, among other things, if a new, similar device that essentially performs the same functions is handed over to an end user. If a new device is delivered to a private household, the same old device can also be handed over there for free collection; this applies to distribution using distance communication means for devices in categories 1, 2, or 4 according to Section 2 Paragraph 1 of the ElektroG, namely "heat exchangers," "display screen devices," or "large appliances" (the latter with at least one external dimension exceeding 50 centimeters). End users are asked about their intention to return the device when concluding a purchase contract. Furthermore, the option of returning old devices free of charge to distributors' collection points is available, regardless of the purchase of a new device, for old devices that are no larger than 25 centimeters in any external dimension, and is limited to three old devices per device type.
Pironex technology GmbH does not have a sales area of at least 400 m².
4. Data protection notice
Old devices often contain sensitive personal data. This is especially true for information and telecommunications technology devices such as computers and smartphones. In your own interest, please note that each end user is responsible for deleting the data on the old devices being disposed of.
5. Meaning of the symbol “crossed-out trash can”
The symbol of a crossed-out wheeled bin regularly shown on electrical and electronic equipment indicates that the device in question must be collected separately from unsorted municipal waste at the end of its life.
