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 are listed here.
1. Separate collection of old devices
Electrical and electronic equipment that has become waste is called old equipment. Owners of old devices must collect them separately from unsorted municipal waste. Old devices do not belong in the household waste, but in special collection and return systems.
2. Batteries and rechargeable batteries as well as lamps
Owners of old devices have to separate old batteries and accumulators that are not enclosed by the old device, as well as lamps that can be removed from the old device non-destructively, from the old device before handing them in at a collection point. This does not apply if old devices are prepared for reuse with the participation of a public waste disposal company.
3. Ways to return old devices Owners of old devices
From private households these can be handed in free of charge at the collection points of the public waste disposal carriers or at the collection points set up by manufacturers or distributors within the meaning of the ElektroG. You can find a collection point near you at:
Shops with a sales area of at least 400 m² for electrical and electronic equipment as well as those grocery stores with a total sales area of at least 800 m² that offer electrical and electronic equipment several times a year or permanently and make them available on the market are obliged to take back. This also applies to sales using means of distance communication 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. Distance sellers who are obliged to take back must ensure that they are taken back by means of suitable return options at a reasonable distance from the respective end user.
The possibility of free return of an old device is given to distributors who are obliged to take them back if, among other things, a new device of the same type, which essentially fulfills the same functions, is handed over to an end user. If a new device is delivered to a private household, the old device of the same type can also be handed over there for free collection; this applies to sales using means of distance communication for devices of categories 1, 2 or 4 according to § 2 Paragraph 1 ElektroG, namely "heat exchangers", "screen devices" or "large devices" (the latter with at least one outer dimension over 50 centimeters). When concluding a purchase contract, end users are asked about their intention to return. In addition, there is the possibility of free return at the distributor's collection points regardless of the purchase of a new device for old devices that are not larger than 25 centimeters in any external dimension, limited to three old devices per device type.
4. Data protection notice
Old devices often contain sensitive personal data. This applies in particular to information and telecommunications equipment 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 symbol "crossed out garbage can"
The symbol of a crossed-out garbage 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 have priority over waste management measures. Waste prevention measures for electrical and electronic equipment include, in particular, extending their lifespan by repairing defective equipment and selling used equipment that is in good working order instead of sending it for disposal. Further information is contained in the federal waste prevention program with the participation of the federal states:
As a dealer, we are also obliged to take back old devices:
If you have bought one of the following devices from us, you have the option of having an old device of the same type of device, which in the documentation fulfills the same functions as the new device, picked up by us free of charge when the new device is delivered ("old for New").
- refrigerators
- freezers
- heat pump dryer
- washing machines
- clothes dryer
- dishwasher
- Electric stoves and electric ovens
- electric hotplates
You can return the listed devices 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. the information has the same functions as the new device ("old for new").
After ordering a new device, please contact: [email protected] to organize collection.
You can return old devices that are not larger than 25 cm in any external dimension, regardless of whether you have bought a new device from us, as follows. The return is limited to three old devices per type of device.
Please make sure that the old device is properly packaged for shipping so that breakage is avoided as far as possible and mechanical sealing or breakage can be ruled out. The acceptance of old devices may be refused if there is a risk to human health and safety due to contamination.
