A systematic and compatible classification of WEEE

Abstract

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) encompasses a great variety of products. The heterogeneous characteristics and lack of standardized classification create substantial difficulties to compare take-back and re-cycling performance. This paper proposes a systematic classification of WEEE, enabling improved scope definition and better comparability of performance results. It is organized based on three essential perspectives: product type, waste management and legislative relevancy. The proposed classification list is divided into 58 categories by linking all possible WEEE items (about 900 product types) and various conventional categorizations. Additionally, an important source facilitating the categorization is the international goods codes systems. By aligning with the classifications applied in trade statistics, custom authorities and national statistical offices, this categorization enables consistent comparison of performance between regions and compliance schemes. The approach developed is an important reference for an independent check of the registered EEE amounts put on the market and WEEE generated. As such this forms a relevant input for the upcoming WEEE recast collection target definition in Europe. A case study is conducted in the Netherlands for a system mapping of the national e-waste flows in 2011, and average weight for each category is provided.