Return and disposal of old devices
Electrical and electronic equipment - Information for private households (Online)
The Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) contains a large number of requirements for handling 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. In particular, old appliances do not belong in household waste, but in special collection and return systems.
2. Batteries and accumulators as well as lamps
As a rule, owners of waste equipment must separate spent batteries and accumulators that are not enclosed in the waste equipment, as well as lamps that can be removed from the waste equipment without causing damage, from the waste equipment before handing it over to a collection point. This does not apply if WEEE is prepared for reuse with the participation of a public waste management authority.
3. Options for returning old equipment Owners of old equipment
from private households can return them free of charge to the collection points of the public waste management authorities or to the take-back centers set up by manufacturers or distributors as defined by the ElektroG. You can find out about a collection point near you at:
Stores with a sales area of at least 400 m² for electrical and electronic equipment and those grocery stores with a total sales area of at least 800 m² that offer electrical and electronic equipment several times a year or on a permanent basis and make it available on the market are subject to the take-back obligation. This also applies to sales using means of distance communication if the storage and shipping areas for electrical and electronic equipment are at least 400 m² or the total storage and shipping areas are at least 800 m². Distributors of distance selling who are obliged to take back electrical and electronic equipment must ensure that the equipment is taken back by providing suitable return facilities at a reasonable distance from the respective end user.
The possibility of returning an old device free of charge exists for distributors who are obliged to take it back, among other things, if a new similar device that essentially fulfills the same functions is delivered to an end user. If a new appliance is delivered to a private household, the similar waste appliance can also be handed over there for collection free of charge; this applies in the case of distribution using means of distance communication to appliances in categories 1, 2 or 4 as defined in Section 2 (1) of the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act, namely "heat transmitters", "display screen equipment" or "large appliances" (the latter with at least one external dimension exceeding 50 centimeters). End users are asked about their intention to return the equipment when they conclude a purchase contract. In addition, there is the possibility of free return at collection points of the distributors, independent of the purchase of a new device, for such old devices that are not larger than 25 centimeters in any external dimension, limited to three old devices per type of device.
4. Data protection notice
Old devices often contain sensitive personal data. This applies in particular to 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 to be disposed of.
5. Meaning of the "crossed out trash can" symbol
The symbol of a crossed-out trash can regularly depicted on electrical and electronic equipment indicates that the respective device must be collected separately from unsorted municipal waste at the end of its service life.
6. Note on waste prevention
According to the provisions of Directive 2008/98/EU on waste and its implementation in the legislation of the Member States of the European Union, waste prevention measures generally take precedence over waste management measures. In the case of electrical and electronic equipment, waste prevention measures include, in particular, extending their service life by repairing defective equipment and disposing of functioning used equipment instead of sending it for disposal. Further information can be found in the waste prevention program of the federal government with the participation of the states:
We as a dealer are also obliged to take back old equipment:
If you have purchased one of the following devices from us, you have the option of having an old device of the same device type, which essentially fulfills the same functions as the new device, picked up by us free of charge upon delivery of the new device ("old for new").
- Refrigerators
- Freezers
- Heat pump dryer
- Washing machines
- Tumble dryer
- Dishwasher
- Electric cookers and electric ovens
- Electric hotplates
The devices listed below can be returned to us free of charge, provided that you have purchased an electrical or electronic device from us and the old device corresponds to the same type of device, i.e. essentially fulfills the same functions as the new device ("old against new").
After ordering a new unit, please contact: [email protected] to arrange a pickup.
Old devices, which are not larger than 25 cm in any external dimension, can be returned to us free of charge as follows, irrespective of the purchase of a new device. The return is limited to three old devices per device type.
Please ensure that the used equipment is properly packaged for shipment so that breakage is avoided as far as possible and mechanical compaction or breakage can be ruled out. Acceptance of old equipment may be refused if there is a risk to the health and safety of people due to contamination.
