In response to the so-called take-back obligation, manufacturers and importers have set up an collection and processing system for discarded electr(on)ic appliances. Recupel is the association that takes care of this durable and cost-efficient system, from financing to execution to awareness. And this in close collaboration with merchants, communes, re-use shops, regional governments, Recupel approved Recyclers and intercommunals.
History
When Recupel was started, there was only a solution for the take-back obligation for household electronic-appliances: appliances intended for use in individual households or comparable use in companies. Since 3 January 2007, we also offer a solution for most of the professional (other than household) electro-appliances.
Mission
Vision
In the context of a circular society, Recupel is striving for a better living environment via optimal recuperation of materials from waste on behalf of the producers.
RECYCLING TOGETHER FOR A MORE BEAUTIFUL WORLD
Mission
Recupel ensures that e-waste is collected and processed in a sustainable and cost-effective way.
Values
Professionalism Efficiency Transparency Respect Innovation Environmental awareness
Objective
It goes without saying that preserving the environment is the main objective. Recupel ensures that discarded appliances are collected and recycled. We are responsible for purification (separating and removing hazardous substances) and thus we contribute to a better world.
We work with certified processing companies that have been selected on the basis of their experience with ecological processing of waste, their efficiency and their price. The collection is carried out in close collaboration with the merchants and with the municipalities and intermunicipal companies. At the container parks, special receptacles for waste are available to the public.
We inform and sensitise individual persons and companies regarding their waste and we support the governmental authorities in monitoring the results.
Structure
Recupel vzw comprises seven management bodies:
- BW-Rec – Large household appliances, professional large and small white goods and dispensers
- Recupel AV – Household and professional audio-video equipment
- Recupel SDA – Small household appliances
- Recupel ICT - Informatics, telecommunications and office equipment, professional ICT equipment and dispensers
- Recupel ET&G – Household and professional electric and electronic (garden) tools
- LightRec – Lighting equipment and corona discharge bulbs
- MeLaRec – Household and professional medical appliances, lab equipment, sports equipment, thermostats, testing and measuring equipment, blood glucose metres and smoke detectors
These 7 non-profit organisations, together with the professional federations active in the electro-appliances sector, are the founders of the executing organisation, Recupel vzw.
These professional federations have also helped establish the seven sectors:
- Agoria- the multi-sector federation of the technological industry, founded the Recupel AV, Recupel ICT, Recupel SDA, LightRec and MeLaRec sectors.
- FEE - Federation of Electricity and Electronics, founded the BW-Rec and LightRec sectors.
- Fedagrim and Imcobel form the foundation of the Recupel ET&G sector.
- BeMedTech and Laborama form the foundation of the MeLaRec sector.
Importers and manufacturers of electro-appliances are members of one or more of these management bodies, according to the sectors in which they are active.
Legislation & Authorities
Legal framework
A collection and processing system for waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has been in place in Belgium since 1 July 2001. This system was created out of a legal obligation called ’the take-back obligation‘. The European legislation defined 10 categories of electro-appliances for which the take-back obligation applies.
Since July 2008, Recupel has maintained appliance lists that are based on these categories. These lists provide more details per category to make clear which appliances we have included in the take-back obligation.
Manufacturers and importers of electro-appliances are primarily active in the three regions, so it was logical to implement a single uniform take-back system on the national level. To make the implementation of a single take-back system for waste possible, an agreement was signed periodically per region between the regional authorities and industry. These agreements are called "Environmental policy agreements" and concern the take-back obligation for waste.
However, the EU Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) stipulates that from 15 August 2018 the 10 main categories are no longer applicable and that from than on reporting should be based on 6 new main categories. Recupel applies these 6 new main categories as of 01/01/2022 in the new appliance list, thus replacing the 10 main categories used until 31/12/2021.
The criteria of the new categories are based on the nature (temperature exchange equipment, equipment with a screen, lamps, small and large electrical and electronic equipment, and ICT equipment) and the dimensions (larger/smaller than 50 cm) of the appliances.
The six new main categories are:
- Temperature exchange equipment
- Screens, monitors, and equipment containing screens having a surface greater than 100 cm²
- Lamps
- Large equipment (with at least 1 external dimension more than 50 cm)
- Small equipment (no external dimensions more than 50 cm)
- Small IT and telecommunications equipment (no external dimension more than 50 cm)
Authorities
Recupel works very closely with the regional authorities. From the start, when industry took the initiative to find an executive solution for the legal take-back obligation, there has been dialogue with, and support from, these authorities.
This initiative resulted in a collective system that Recupel implemented in consultation with the government. The three regional governments are responsible for overseeing this system.
In practice, the regional authorities are very closely involved:
- they sit as observers on Recupel‘s Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of the sectors;
- they approve the Recupel contributions and are involved in awarding the contracts regarding collection and processing;
- they receive Recupel‘s communication campaigns in advance;
- theyplay an important role in all major decisions, such as approving the annual budget, the year-end accounting, new contributions, etc.
Upon signing each new environmental policy agreement, Recupel must draw up a management and financial plan for the long-term. Each year, an implementation plan is developed.
The regions work together to make Recupel the best collective system. The semi-annual strategic exercise illustrates this collaboration. Supplemented with the periodic consultation around the approach towards so-called ’free riders‘ (importers/manufacturers that are not members of the collective system and have not submitted individual plans) and the updating of the European Directive (which appliances are subject to the Recupel contribution). The bimonthly inter-regional consultation concerning the general operational activities of the Recupel system further strengthens the ties.
Member lists
- BW-Rec - Large household appliances, professional large and small white goods and dispensers
- Recupel AV - Household and professional audio-video equipment
- Recupel SDA - Small household appliances
- Recupel ICT - Informatics, telecommunications and office equipment, professional ICT equipment and dispensers
- Recupel ET&G - Household and professional electric and electronic (garden) tools
- LightRec - Lighting equipment and corona discharge bulbs
- MeLaRec - Household and professional medical appliances, lab equipment, sports equipment, thermostats, testing and measuring equipment, blood glucose metres and smoke detectors
Quality policy
Since its establishment in 2001, Recupel has done everything in its power to develop a system to guarantee that electrical and electronic waste is collected properly and reused optimally, or recycled. Recupel has proven itself to be a reliable partner in helping the industry comply with the legal take-back obligation by establishing an extensive and accessible collection network both for consumers and businesses. In order to transport and process discarded appliances in an ecologically sound manner, Recupel collaborates with accredited companies selected for their efficiency, cost price and their use of the most efficient technologies available. Wherever possible in the recycling process - and if in conformity with the market – Recupel opts for social employment. In addition, the organisation attaches a great deal of importance to keeping its stakeholders – and regional governments in particular – informed with a view to optimum transparency and collaboration.
The board of directors has decided to carry out its quality policy by introducing the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system. Recupel wants to meet the demands of this norm on a permanent basis and is continuously working to improve its quality system.
Recupel performs a socially relevant task that can only be fulfilled properly by establishing an efficient collaboration with other social actors. By adhering to high quality standards in its day-to-day operations and projecting a positive image, Recupel is able to gain the trust of its stakeholders, thereby ensuring optimum use of its system.
