Where to throw away electronic waste (WEEE)

Never in the unsorted waste. There are recycling centers and drop-off points. But there's also the "one-on-one" system, whereby the appliance retailer is required to...

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electronic waste: how to dispose of it correctly
Electronic waste, also called WEEE (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment), they should never be thrown into normal garbage bins Because they contain hazardous substances such as heavy metals and chemicals that can pollute the environment. Moreover, we produce and waste enormous quantities of them: in Italy, 13 kilos per person per year; in Europe, 7,8 kilos; and globally, they represent a total of 62 million tons of waste per year. Disposal is therefore delicate and, if done correctly, allows for the recovery of a significant portion of the materials WEEE contains, including gold.  TVs, cell phones, but also food processors, toasters, microwave ovens, computers, modems, USB sticks, refrigerators, washing machines and other household appliances are not just any waste but WEEE.

Ecological islands and municipal collection centers

An estimated 3.600 recycling centers and collection centers equipped for WEEE disposal exist in Italian municipalities. From these collection centers, waste is then sent to treatment plants that prevent the release of pollutants and allow for the recycling of raw materials. To find out how many recycling centers there are in your municipality and where , the easiest way is to consult:

  • Il Municipality or company website which deals with the collection and disposal of waste in the area.
  • WEEE search services often allow you to find the nearest collection center by entering the city name, address, and postcode.
Here you find precise mapping in all regions, with the various collection points and recycling centers. Another practical tool is the website raeeccogliamoli.it: which guides you step-by-step to understand where to throw away your specific WEEE (small or large) and suggests the closest centers based on your region and city.
For bulkier WEEE (for example refrigerators, washing machines and water heaters) it is possible to request the home collectionThis is a service available in many municipalities, for which you need to make a reservation and you will likely have to pay a sort of "disposal fee".

One versus one

The “one for one” mechanism, also called “collection with sale”, provides that the dealer takes charge of collecting the appliance that you are replacing with a new purchase (provided that the two objects are equivalent in function),
If you are planning to buy a new equipment, you have the option of leaving your old appliance in the shop at no cost. The shopkeeper is obliged to collect used items free of charge at the time of purchase as provided for by the Ministerial Decree 65/2010 “One for One”Free collection is also available with home delivery of the new electronic device. In the case of small devices (less than 25 cm on each side), the dealer you must collect them for free, even if you don't buy a new device with similar technical and functional characteristics.

Right to repair

Before deciding to throw away WEEE, always remember that in Europe there is the right to repair, A fairly recent achievement for consumers. The right to repair implies that manufacturers must, for example:
  • Provide repair manuals complete and accessible.
  • Make spare parts available for a minimum period (often 5–10 years) after purchasing the product.
  • Designing repairable products: for example, batteries and screens that can be replaced without complicated disassembly or proprietary tools.
  • Don't block software or warranties if the repair is done by independent operators.

Damage from incorrectly disposed of household appliances

The correct disposal of e-waste is not just an environmental issue: it affects our health . A recent study , published in 2024 in The World Bank Economic Review , compares areas near and far from large landfill/e-waste disposal sites (in Ghana and Nigeria) and shows that prolonged exposure to e-waste contaminants increases neonatal and infant mortality . Every additional kilometer of distance from e-waste sites is associated with a statistically significant reduction in infant deaths , suggesting a causally significant link between contamination and health. E-waste pollution can cause DNA damage, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

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