Ask your questions about e-waste recycling

A sustainability specialist prepared a question and answer guide to clarify the most common doubts about electronic waste

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Electronic waste is a growing problem in our society, as the incorrect disposal of items such as cell phones, computers and other electronics, increasingly present in our daily lives, causes several environmental impacts. The electronics reverse logistics specialist Henrique Mendes prepared a series of questions and answers to clarify the most common doubts regarding the disposal and recycling of electronic waste. Check out!

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1. What is electronic waste and what equipment can I dispose of?

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). This is a term used to refer to all electrical and electronic equipment, their parts and accessories, which have been disposed of by their owner as waste, with no intention of reusing them. They are also called “E-waste”.

Under most laws dealing with this matter, greater attention is paid to the disposal of household electronic equipment, such as cell phones, computers, irons, flat irons, sandwich makers, TVs, DVDs, refrigerators, washing machines, remote controls , stereo, headphones, among other types of equipment that we have in our homes. However, electronic equipment for corporate use must also be properly disposed of by companies, which are responsible for managing all waste generated in their operation.

2. Why is junk e-mail a problem?

WEEE has gained increasing attention over the last 10 years as it represents a type of waste that has been growing continuously in the world. It is estimated that, in 2018, 50 million tons of WEEE will be generated worldwide and there are no signs of a reduction in the generation of this type of waste in the short term. On the contrary, we increasingly see our society based on the use of this equipment, which, sooner or later, will be discarded.

3. What are the environmental risks of not carrying out the correct disposal?

WEEE does not represent immediate damage to the environment. When intact, the equipment is inert, that is, it does not release potentially polluting substances into the environment. The problem is the inappropriate practices of people who want to recover metals and other substances from these equipment, without due care.

In fact, they have a large amount of substances and materials in their composition, some with toxicity potential, but the biggest problem lies in the inadequate practices of handcrafted recycling of these equipment, which use acidic solutions and with even greater contamination potential, in addition to exposing workers to risks for working in the wrong way.

4. Where can I discard and how is this disposal done?

Manufacturers and importers operating in Brazil are starting a movement to promote the proper disposal of equipment they place on the market. Several of these companies already have a direct contact channel with their customers, allowing the equipment to be delivered to technical assistance, partner stores or even facilitating delivery by mail.

In addition, new associations of manufacturers and importers have been created, such as the Green Electron, which will install delivery points in cities, mainly in stores where this equipment is sold.

The tip is to first look for the manufacturer that owns the brand and ask for an orientation/solution. Disposal is almost always free. Also remember to delete any sensitive data, photos and other personal files that may be saved on your device.

5. What happens next? How is recycling done?

After this disposal, the equipment is sent to Brazilian companies that specialize in dismantling this equipment and recycling the materials that are part of the Electronic Waste. Electronics contain parts and pieces made of plastic, glass and metal, as well as other substances. Practically 100% of the device can be recycled, almost everything right here in our country.

6. What does the law say in Brazil? What is the Sector Agreement?

In Brazil we have the law 12.305/2010, called the National Solid Waste Policy. In this law, the obligation to implement reverse logistics was created, which is nothing more than the creation of paths so that the consumer can correctly dispose of their equipment, ensuring an environmentally appropriate destination. Several types of products are mentioned in this law, such as electronics, cells and batteries.

  • What is reverse logistics?

Also according to the law, to create this Reverse Logistics system, there are some minimum rules that those responsible for the system must follow, such as quantity targets to be collected, minimum number of Delivery Points to be created in the country and a schedule to be followed by companies. This set of rules was given the name of Sectoral Agreement. This is the document that will be signed between the government and the companies, to ensure the implementation of Electronics Reverse Logistics in the country.

7. Why should companies join?

Reverse Logistics is already a legal obligation in Brazil. Therefore, above all, companies should already have their own system for collecting and recycling the devices they place on the market. Furthermore, we have seen that our current production and consumption model is not sustainable, that is, we cannot continue to produce and consume as if all resources were infinite, as they clearly are not.

Furthermore, we cannot continue to dispose of our products in this irrational way, wasting huge amounts of raw material, energy and labor, which were necessary in the production of new equipment. Recovering these (and other materials) is already a concern for many governments, since to keep up with the technological evolution that helps us so much, we will need to maintain available natural resources (which are increasingly scarce).

8. What is the responsibility of each one in Reverse Logistics?

Under our law, responsibility for the life cycle of products is shared. Therefore, we are all part of this process. It is up to the consumer to deliver the electronics they wish to dispose of, in appropriate places, other than common garbage. Such places must be created and made available by the productive sector. Dealers and distributors are responsible for receiving this equipment and delivering it to manufacturers and importers, who are ultimately responsible for ensuring the environmentally appropriate final destination of this equipment, such as recycling, for example

9. Why is electronics reverse logistics not yet a reality in the country?

As mentioned above, according to our law, we still need to sign the so-called Sectoral Agreement. Remember that I mentioned that this Agreement will bring the rules of the game? So, that's what's missing for the “game” to start. This negotiation is not simple and involves a series of changes that need to be made in government and environmental agencies to ensure that all collection, transport and recycling will be carried out properly and safely for all. This negotiation is in the final stage, but there are still some obstacles to be resolved.

10. How is Reverse Logistics done in other countries?

There are several models of how electronics are disposed of and collected in other countries. Countries in Europe and Japan were pioneers in this matter. In some cases, the government acts directly and with a fundamental role, providing the places for correct disposal and ensuring the transport of this material. In others, the entire responsibility rests with the manufacturers. And there are examples where the consumer assumes a good part of the responsibility, paying for the collection of equipment he wants to discard.

Brazil has observed and tested some of these models, in order to develop something that is adapted to the local culture and the continental dimensions of our country.


Machete download of the Questions and Answers Guide prepared by Henrique Mendes. The specialist has worked in the sustainability area for over nine years, having worked on different projects, such as management of greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, conscientious consumption and environmental education. Recently, he is focused on the reverse logistics area, in particular on the reverse logistics of electronics.



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