Section ‘A. General terms and conditions of collection’ applies to every Recupel collection point and to all types of electro-appliances and light bulbs (unless these differ from the terms and conditions set out under sections B, C or D).
The additional terms and conditions set out in sections B apply only for the collection of light bulbs.
The additional terms and conditions set out in section C – collection of smoke detectors – apply only for recycling centres and installers.
The additional terms and conditions set out in section D apply only for the Recupel-points (modules).
If you fail to meet any of the terms and conditions of collection, Recupel may terminate the partnership and arrange for any remaining collection bins and pallet boxes to be collected. As a Recupel collection point, you are liable for any cost of non-compliance. Recupel can also retrieve any collection bins or pallet boxes if you stop collection, cease operations, or have filed for bankruptcy/liquidation.
Any dispute regarding the relationship between Recupel and any Recupel collection point, along with compliance with these terms and conditions for collection, falls under the exclusive territorial jurisdiction of the competent authorities within the Arrondissement of Brussels-Capital.
A. General terms and conditions of collection – applicable to all types of electricals
- As a Recupel collection point, you must comply with all applicable legal and regulatory terms and conditions for the storage of discarded electro-appliances and light bulbs.
- Register for the collection service as a Recupel collection point via the logistics platform.
- Requests for collection are made via the logistics platform.
- A registered collector shall carry out the collection.
- As a Recupel collection point, you may request the collection of a minimum of 8 individual items (large white goods, fridges, freezers, etc.), or one full pallet box or one 38 m³ container of household appliances.
- Recupel shall provide you with pallet boxes, containers or light bulb boxes for the storage of the collected electro-appliances and light bulbs, free of charge. Place all collected electro-appliances and light bulbs inside these provided bins, with the exception of any items collected as individual items.
- These bins shall remain the property of Recupel or an authorised Recupel supplier. If any third party seeks to lay claim to any such bin, the Recupel collection point must reject this and inform the third party of the bin's rightful ownership.
- As a Recupel collection point, you shall fill and use the provided bins with due care and following best practice, so that neither the bin nor collected appliances incur any damage and in such a way that no harmful substances are discharged. The Recupel collection point shall only use the provided bins to collect electrical appliances or light bulbs as part of its collaboration with Recupel. The bins must not be misappropriated, used by any third party or have any rights assigned to them.
- As a Recupel collection point, you are liable in the event of any damage to the bin in question, with the exception of any damage resulting from normal use (wear and tear) or force majeure. In the event of repairable damage, the Recupel collection point shall reimburse Recupel for the cost of any repair. In the event of irreparable damage or loss, you as a Recupel collection point shall be liable for compensation corresponding to the cost of the loss or replacement. Subject to change by Recupel, this compensation stands at €5,500.00 for a collection bin, €220,450 for a pallet box , €450.00 for a large for light bulb box and €250.00 for a small light bulb box. (prices excluding VAT and subject to the addition of an administrative charge of €25.00 in each case). In case of damage or loss, the Recupel collection point must inform Recupel immediately.
- As a Recupel collection point, you are required to return all bins to Recupel in good condition.
- To receive a pallet box or collection bin for household appliances, the Recupel collection point must request collection a minimum of 4 times per year.
- The bin and collected appliances or light bulbs should be stored in a dry environment protected from rain.
- Any bins must be completely filled (min. 80%) and only with WEEE from Recupel's list of approved electrical appliances and electronic devices.
- Electro-appliances shall be accepted if they are deemed recognisable as WEEE and therefore still contain most of their essential components. We cannot accept appliances that no longer contain these essential components. In addition, any possible products or objects that are foreign to these electrical appliances or electronic devices (such as packaging, protective material, food residues, garden waste, etc.) should be removed.
- Any electrical appliances/electronic devices that have radioactive properties (except for ionization smoke detectors and cinema xenon lamps) or that have become biologically, chemically or radioactively contaminated should not be placed in the provided bins. Collection of any such appliances shall be refused.
- As a collection point, so long as the WEEE/bin is in your possession, you shall bear all risks and be liable for any damage caused by/to the WEEE and/or the provided bin, or by any improper handling of the provided bin or its contents. Recupel has no ownership of the WEEE and is therefore not liable for related damage. Recupel is equally not liable for any physical damage, sickness or injury incurred when accepting or handling electro-appliances or light bulbs at the Recupel collection point, including damage, sickness or injury incurred due to contamination, pathogens, contaminants, radiation or toxic substances.
- The collected electro-appliances and light bulbs or the provided bin should be ready to be transported, i.e. easily accessible, on a solid surface and ready to be taken away, so that the designated transport company can load them without incurring any loss of time or experiencing any practical difficulties. Any waiting time incurred by the transport company at the address of the Recupel collection point should not exceed 15 minutes.
- If the pallet box or collection bin has not been assembled in accordance with the instructions, or if any of the terms and conditions of collection have not been met, any resulting costs, including any unnecessary transport costs, shall be reimbursed by the Recupel collection point.
- The Recupel collection point shall receive a digital collection slip from the transport company indicating the number of bins to be collected/delivered.
B. Additional terms and conditions of collection for lamps and light bulbs
More than 200 kg (fluorescent tubes, low-energy or LED light bulbs)
- The Recupel collection point shall make at least 1 collection request per year.
- Light bulbs must be placed in a suitable light bulb box: either large (80 x 190 x 75 cm for fluorescent tubes at least 60 cm long), or small (80 x 120 x 75 cm for fluorescents tubes less than 60 cm long and for other light bulbs). For any questions about damage incurred to light bulb boxes, please see the provisions set out under section A.
Less than 200 kg/year
- Collect the light bulbs in the light bulb box, provided free of charge by the transport company. This box comes in two types: a standard and a smaller model. The box itself (not its contents) is the property of Recupel. Boxes shall only be eligible for collection if they are completely filled.
- As a Recupel collection point, you are entitled to make a maximum of three collection requests per year. Only one light bulb box per type will be provided, collected or exchanged per collection (i.e. either one box or two different types per collection request).
General
- Light bulbs should be stripped of any possible packaging (boxes, tubes/sleeves, cardboard, etc.). Light bulb boxes must not contain any rubbish or other waste. Light bulbs should be provided in a dry condition.
- Only complete light bulbs will be accepted: broken, damaged or dismantled light bulbs, etc. will be refused.
- Light fittings fall under ‘OTHER’ (other WEEE items).
C. Additional terms and conditions of collection for smoke detectors (for recycling centres and installers only)
- The collection of autonomous and/or non-autonomous optical and/or ionisation electric and electronic smoke detectors.
- As a Recupel collection point, you should never store more than 1,000 smoke detectors together at the same time.
- Depending on the accumulated volume, you should deposit smoke detectors in (A) a metal bin, provided by Recupel free of charge at recycling centres, or (B) a metal bin or ASP container at other collection points.
- Collection of smoke detectors at recycling centres is only for end-users, depositing a maximum of two smoke detectors at a time. Smoke detectors (in the collection bin) are to be deposited in the enclosed area for small hazardous waste. In the absence of such an area, or if this is not possible, they should be deposited nearby, in a place not accessible by the general public.
- Plastic collection bins each come with a 120 L plastic bag inside. For collections in an ASP container, Recupel will provide several 120 L plastic bags. Smoke detectors are therefore stored several full bags at a time inside the ASP container (please note: the limit of 1,000 units must not be exceeded).
- Upon collection of the plastic collection bin, the transport company will remove the full bag and install an empty new one. The collection bin remains on site.
- Upon collection of the ASP container, it is taken away by the transport company, including the bags inside the container. The transport company will usually replace the container and provide the necessary bags there and then.
- Bins, containers and plastic bags are to be kept in good condition. Smoke detectors should be stored in an environment protected from rain.
- Recupel collection points must not perform any sorting or handling of smoke detectors.
D. Recupel point: terms for collection and obligations of the parties
Recupel aims to collect containers with waste of electrical and electronic equipment and light bulbs within three working days after the day of the merchant’s request, provided the following conditions are met:
- As a Recupel point, you must comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements for the storage of waste of electrical and electronic equipment and light bulbs.
- The merchant commits to signing the model contract and respecting its terms and is registered as a Recupel point through Recupel's website.
- Merchants can request collection via the toll-free number 0800 15 880 or by email to vol@recupel.be. The type of module to be collected and the address of the Recupel point must be specified.
- The Recupel point is fully filled (at least 80%) and contains only waste of electrical and electronic equipment (≤ 25 cm) or light bulbs, as listed in Recupel’s appliance list.
- The merchant meets the conditions of the model contract and keeps sufficient space to place the Recupel points visibly, in a location accessible to consumers or individuals.
- The merchant places the Recupel point in a location where there is supervision.
- Waste of electrical and electronic equipment, light bulbs, and modules/Recupel points are stored in a dry location, protected from precipitation.
- No modifications are made to the containers/modules/Recupel points. The containers are stored as delivered by Recupel (without any changes to the graphics or design of the container).
- Waste of electrical and electronic equipment are kept in the condition in which the customer has delivered them, but the merchant ensures that the returned devices are complete (i.e., they contain all essential parts) and are free of any foreign products or objects (e.g., packaging, protective materials, food waste, garden waste, etc.). Accessories that are not an essential part of the device should not be placed in the Recupel point. This implies that neither the merchant nor a third party may dismantle and/or remove the parts of the waste of electrical and electronic equipment intended for Recupel, except with the express permission of Recupel (e.g., when an agreement has been made to empty the modules into box pallets)
- Only intact light bulbs are accepted in the light bulbs modules; broken, damaged, or disassembled light bulbs, etc., will be refused.
- The Recupel point contains no radioactive devices or devices posing a risk of biological, chemical, or radioactive contamination. The collection of such devices will be refused.
- The Recupel points are prepared for transport by the collection service, meaning: easily accessible, placed on a hard surface, and ready for transport so that the collection service can load them without delays or practical issues. The merchant must provide access to the Recupel point for the person collecting the waste on behalf of Recupel, and the wait time for the collector at the Recupel point address should not exceed 15 minutes.
- The containers remain the property of Recupel or a Recupel supplier. If a third party claims a container, the Recupel point rejects the claim and informs the third party about the ownership rights. Recupel never becomes the owner of the waste of electrical and electronic equipment.
Recupel also commits to sending a collector only during the opening hours of the location where the Recupel point is placed, provided they were correctly transmitted.
The merchant will receive a collection slip from the Recupel collector, indicating the number of Recupel points/modules collected/delivered.
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