Scavenging figures WEEE December 2019
EERA decided to continue for one more year researching the scavenging levels in Europe and again the report highlights huge scavenging problem across Europe and the results of the research are published now.
In 2019, EERA Members and other EU recyclers provided data relating to 2018 levels of scavenging, encompassing 520,000 tonnes of WEEE treated in 43 treatment locations across 9 different countries. Astoundingly, according to the report findings, the value of scavenged materials in 2018 was €151 million.
Apart from the financial losses to waste compliance schemes and compliant recycling companies, there is a massive impact on the environment which cannot be ignored.
To give just one example, the scavenging level of compressors is very concerning due to the release of ozone depleting gasses contained in the refrigeration circuit into the environment. According to EERA’s research, this would equal 3.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, or the annual emissions of 2 million cars.