Take-back of old devices

Electrical and electronic equipment – information for private households

The German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) contains a large number of requirements for the handling of electrical and electronic equipment. The most important ones are summarised here.


Separate collection of old devices

Electrical and electronic equipment that has become waste is referred to as old devices (waste equipment). Owners of old devices must take them to a collection separate from unsorted municipal waste. In particular, old devices do not belong in household waste but in special collection and return systems.

 
Batteries and rechargeable batteries

As a rule, owners of old devices must separate waste batteries and waste accumulators that are not enclosed by the old device from it before handing it over to a collection point. This does not apply if the old devices are handed over to public waste management authorities and separated there from other old devices for the purpose of preparation for re-use.

 
Options for returning old devices

Owners of old devices from private households can hand them in at the collection points of the public waste management authorities or at the take-back points set up by manufacturers or distributors within the meaning of the ElektroG.

 
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.

 
Meaning of the "crossed-out wheeled bin" symbol

The symbol of a crossed-out wheeled bin regularly shown 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.

Further information

We are a member of the "take-e-way" take-back system. You can find further information at Information obligations pursuant to Section 18 (2) of the German Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act