Electrical and Electronic waste, commonly known as Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), is a mounting environmental concern, both in Malta and worldwide. WEEE encompasses all devices with plugs or batteries, such as freezers, monitors, lamps, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, laptops, and mobile phones.
Within WEEE, valuable materials and resources can be recovered and recycled, but they also contain hazardous substances that can pose risks to human health and the environment if not disposed of properly. In this regard, Waste Management (Electrical and Electronic Equipment) regulations, stemming from EU directives and applied variably across countries, are designed to curb the environmental and health effects of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
With respect to the local context, from 2004 to 2010, the annual waste generated in Malta declined from its peak. However, since 2010, the annual waste produced has been increasing again, and in 2020 the level of waste generated surpassed the levels recorded in 2006. The annual amount of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEEs) placed on the market declined from 3,716 tons in 2017 to 3,247 tons in 2021. Furthermore, the percentage of WEEE prepared for reuse and recycled increased from 9.77% to 22% over the same period. Domestic laws on WEEE in Malta are based on the Subsidiary Legislation 549.89, the Waste Management (Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations, which transposed the EU Directive 2012/19/EU on WEEE. The aim of these regulations is to promote the prevention, reuse, recycle, and recovery of WEEE, and to reduce its environmental impact. In Malta, the regulations apply to all producers, registered producer either as self-compliant or authorised compliance scheme such as WEEE Malta, distributors and consumers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), as well as waste management operators who collect, transport, treat or export WEEE at the end of their life cycle. The regulations also define the categories of EEE and WEEE, the obligations of different actors, the registration and reporting requirements, the collection, targets, and the penalties for non-compliance. Moreover, the regulations uphold the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), furthermore, EEE consumers who are encouraged to dispose of their old or unwanted appliances through various channels by WEEE Malta, which is a not-for-profit waste compliance scheme established by the Malta Chamber of Small & Medium Enterprises, GRTU, which manages WEEE on behalf of producers of EEE operating on the Maltese market, such as:
Ø Door-to-door collection: Residents can schedule free WEEE pickups by phone or online.
Ø Civic amenity sites: Six island-wide locations accept all WEEE seven days a week for free.
Ø Retailers: Participating stores offer take-back services, recycling old items when new ones are purchased
Ø Schools and businesses: Periodic WEEE collections are organized for schools and businesses in collaboration with the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) and the Malta Communications Authority (MCA).
This collective effort in an environmentally sound manner by consumers contributes to the circular economy, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, waste generation, greenhouse gas emissions, and carbon footprint, and creating eco-friendly job opportunities and safeguarding the environment and public health by recovering valuable materials from these devices to be repurposed to create new products, conserving energy, and resources, and ensuring the proper disposal of hazardous components.
Managing WEEE sustainably, aligning with ESG criteria, which are increasingly used by stakeholders to assess the performance and impact of businesses, in Malta and globe, offers numerous benefits, including bolstering the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance of businesses and organisations. By adhering to WEEE regulations, producers of EEE demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection, social responsibility, and good governance, which can elevate their reputation, competitiveness, and profitability. In this respect, combating the improper implementation of e-waste management could be undertaken by the following strategies:
1. Enhance Public Awareness and Education: Educate the public on e-waste disposal's importance and risks. Promote awareness of collection and recycling options.
2. Establishing and enforcing legislation and regulations: Implement strong e-waste laws covering collection to disposal, with shared responsibility among producers, importers, and consumers.
3. Promote Producer Responsibility: Implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiatives to hold manufacturers accountable for product disposal and recycling. Promote recyclable designs and take-back programs.
4. Create accessible collection points: Establish convenient and accessible collection spots for e-waste throughout the country, such as recycling centres, retail stores, or designated zones. Simplifying the process to dispose of their electronic waste responsibly.
5. Advocate Reuse and Recycling: Promote the reuse of functional electronic devices whenever feasible. For non-functional items, use authorized facilities for safe recycling and hazardous waste disposal.
6. Formalise and Regulate Recycling Facilities: Address informal recycling practices that could endanger workers and the environment. Formalise and regulate recycling facilities to guarantee compliance with safety and environmental standards.
7. Provide training and capacity building: delivery training and capacity-building programs for workers engaged in e-waste management. Educate them about proper handling of hazardous materials and safe recycling practices.
8. Foster Collaborations between Public and Private Sectors: Encourage partnerships between governmental bodies, private enterprises, and non-governmental organisations to establish comprehensive e-waste management systems. Utilise combined resources and expertise to enhance the overall effectiveness of e-waste management.
9. Support Green Innovation: Invest research and innovation in e-waste management and recycling technologies. Cultivate the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly methods for handling e-waste.
10. Repair Centres: Establish repair centers that focus on various items, including electronics. These centres would serve as primary collection points for used products in need of repair, thus potentially reducing the amount of WEEE. This aligns with strategies for reuse and recycling, as well as promoting producer responsibility.
11. Government Support: Implement government-supported repair centres to address market inefficiencies, make repairs more cost-effective, and standardize the quality of repairs. This would complement existing legislation and regulations.
In summary, WEEE presents significant health and environmental risks. Malta's regulations and adherence to the WEEE Directive focus on sustainable practices and responsible disposal. Compliance helps individuals and businesses promote a sustainable future and align with ESG criteria.
Elena Goudarzvand is an Advisory Intern at PKF Malta