RECYCLING OF WASTE FROM ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT (WEEE)

This paper describes the current status of waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling and its impact on the environment, human health and the economy. Furthermore the European Directive on the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and the Directive on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). The production of electric and electronic equipment is one of the fastest growing areas. This development has resulted in an increase of WEEE. Increased recycling of WEEE is supposed to limit the total quantity of waste going to final disposal. In view of the environmental problems involved in the management of WEEE, many countries and organizations have drafted national legislation to improve the reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery of such waste so as to reduce disposal. Recycling of WEEE is an important subject not only from the point of waste treatment but also from the recovery of valuable materials. The study of WEEE properties is important for a further recycling and eventual reuse. This paper reviewed the implementation of strategies of WEEE treatment and the recovery technologies of WEEE.