WEEE Take-back & Recycling

Ensuring Compliance with Directive 2012/19/EU

WEEE Directive at a glance

The EU’s WEEE Directive (Directive 2012/19/EU) sets the framework for how end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment must be taken back, collected separately, treated, and recovered. Member States must ensure accessible return systems where final holders can return WEEE at least free of charge, and distributors must provide free 1:1 take-back when supplying a new equivalent product. In addition, large retailers (EEE sales areas ≥ 400 m²) must offer free 0:1 take-back for “very small WEEE” (no external dimension > 25 cm), even without a new purchase. Separately collected WEEE cannot be disposed of before it has undergone the required treatment, and collection/transport must support reuse, recycling, and the confinement of hazardous substances.

On the recycling side, the Directive requires “proper treatment” for all separately collected WEEE, including (at minimum) removal of fluids and selective treatment in line with Annex VII, and it links recycling performance to binding recovery/recycling targets (Annex V). If WEEE is shipped for treatment outside a Member State or outside the EU, it only counts toward targets if the exporter can prove treatment conditions equivalent to the Directive’s requirements. Producers finance, at least, collection (from official collection facilities), treatment, recovery, and environmentally sound disposal of household WEEE.

What a compliant take-back & recycling setup needs to deliver

How we take care of your e-waste

Tell us what to collect

Share what items you want to return and where they are located.

We arrange the pick-up

We schedule collection and handle the logistics.

Compliant take-back under WEEE

We ensure take-back follows WEEE requirements.

Recycling through approved routes

We send the waste to certified recycling partners.

Proof of treatment

You receive documentation confirming proper treatment.

Where we recycle across Europe

Viron provides access to a broad recycling partner network across Europe, so take-back and compliant treatment can be arranged in multiple countries through one coordinated setup. Once you tell us what needs to be collected and where, we route the equipment to an appropriate local treatment partner – aligned with WEEE requirements in the country of collection.

The map shows our recycling coverage and locations. It's designed to give you a quick sense of reach and availability. The exact route and facility selection depends on the waste stream, volume, and local handling requirements.