Your Complete Guide to E-Waste and EEE (Electrical and Electronic Equipment)

EEE stands for Electrical and Electronic Equipment. It is an umbrella term for a large category of products, including appliances, consumer electronics, heating and cooling systems, toys, and IT equipment. We often refer to EEE in the context of EPR (extended producer responsibility), which is governed by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).

 

In South Africa, the government defines EEE as any equipment that is “dependent on electrical currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly.” This includes equipment used to “generate, transfer, and measure” such currents and fields—e.g., batteries, generators, wiring, and voltmeters—but must be designed for use with a voltage rating not exceeding 1,000 volts for AC and 1,500 volts for DC.

Types of EEE

The National Environmental Management: Waste Act (NEM: WA) defines and discusses different types of EEE. Electrical and electronic equipment is primarily categorised by size. Batteries of all sizes are also considered EEE. Lighting equipment, while also considered EEE, has its own EPR regulations and as such is not included in the EEE categories below.

Small Equipment

All external dimensions are under 50cm.
Examples of small EEE: laptops, phones, bluetooth speakers, electric toothbrushes, headphones, hearing aids, power tools.

Medium Equipment

Has at least one external dimension between 50 cm and 100 cm. Examples of medium EEE: microwaves, computer monitors, standing fans, air fryers.

Large Equipment

Has at least one external dimension larger than 100 cm. Examples of large EEE: fridges, washing machines, smart TVs, photocopiers, digital billboards.

What is WEEE or E-Waste?

WEEE, on the other hand, means Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. WEEE is equipment that is broken or unusable and no longer works for its intended purpose. This is also known as e-waste.

WEEE EEE
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Uses electricity and/or batteries to work No longer works and needs to be disposed of
Can be donated or sold for reuse Requires recycling or refurbishing
Examples: TVs, laptops, phones, and appliances Examples: dead batteries, broken appliances and TVs

Why is E-Waste Bad for the Environment?

E-waste is considered hazardous waste by law because of the severe threat it poses to the environment. It is one of the fastest growing types of waste in the world and has been recognised by UNEP as a serious global crisis. There are two main reasons why e-waste is bad for the environment:

1. It leaks toxic chemicals into nature

E-waste contains heavy metals that can pollute the soil and water. Some of the most dangerous metals found in e-waste are lead, mercury, and cadmium. These metals can leach into the soil at dumpsites and slowly find their way into drinking water and the plants we eat.

 

Sometimes e-waste also contains flame retardants and hazardous gases or liquids like battery acid and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). These substances can also leak into nature and harm ecosystems. See a full list of chemicals found in e-waste below:

  • Lead
  • Mercury
  • Beryllium (used in wiring)
  • Chromium VI (a metal coating)
  • Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs)
  • Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs)
  • Dioxins (found in hard plastics)
  • Phthalates (found in plastic wiring)

2. It drains non-renewable resources

The second reason e-waste is bad for the environment is because of its heavy reliance on precious metals and rare earth elements, such as:

  • Gold
  • Silver
  • Copper
  • Palladium
  • Lithium
  • Cobalt

These are just some of the scarce natural materials found in electronics. When we throw away old devices in the form of e-waste, we are essentially wasting these precious resources and denying their use for future generations.

 

And if we keep producing more electronics without recovering any materials from e-waste, the need for mining – which is damaging to the environment – will only increase. The demand for petrochemicals will also grow, as almost all EEE contains some form of plastic.

Why is E-Waste Bad for Human Health?

If we don’t dispose of e-waste properly, it may leach toxic chemicals, microplastics, and heavy metals into the environment. When this gets into our drinking water it can damage the human body, either suddenly or over time, depending on the extent of exposure.

  • Lead poisoning can cause developmental problems in children. In adults, it causes reproductive issues and can affect the kidneys and brain. Most modern electronics no longer contain lead to avoid these risks, however, there may be trace amounts in some devices.
  • Mercury poisoning can cause permanent nerve and lung damage. In the short term, it can cause seizures, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Mercury is found in LCD screens, older TVs, and fluorescent light bulbs.
  • Lung damage – burning EEE releases toxic fumes and dust as well as heavy metal particles that can cause permanent damage to your respiratory system. Some of these chemicals – such as dioxins, which you get from burning plastic – are carcinogenic (cancer-causing).

What is E-Waste Trafficking?

E-waste trafficking is the illegal smuggling and dumping of e-waste across international borders. The Basel Convention is an international treaty that aims to restrict e-waste trafficking by putting stricter import and export laws in place for electronics.

 

Yet many wealthy countries still dump “used” electronics (e-waste in disguise) in poorer countries. They often do this under the pretence of donating old devices to needy communities. In reality, it is an illegal way to get rid of e-waste instead of paying to recycle it in their home country.

 

Consequences of e-waste trafficking:

  • Environmental damage – the countries that receive illegal shipments of e-waste often do not have adequate recycling infrastructure in place to deal with it sustainably. It may end up in landfills of open dump sites where it can cause pollution.
  • Economic damage – dumping e-waste overseas removes valuable materials like gold and copper from a country’s economy. It also allows illegal recyclers to undercut legitimate businesses that deal with waste sustainably.
  • Threat to human health – dumped e-waste is often dismantled informally in uncontrolled environments. This is a dangerous job that may cause injury or even long-term health problems, especially when e-waste is burned to extract metal.

EPR Waste Association of South Africa

Environmentally Sound

Waste Management

Become A Member

Joining eWASA puts a leading environmental services association in your corner. We help you set up recycling systems for your products to ensure complete EPR compliance for your business. As a member, you join our professional community and gain access to networking events, educational resources, and participation in environmental lawmaking.

EPR Requirements for EEE or E-Waste

EPR stands for extended producer responsibility. It is an environmental policy that makes producers pay for sustainable disposal of their products. In South Africa, EPR applies to Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE), batteries, lighting, lubricant oils, paper and packaging products.

 

According to South African EPR regulations, all EEE producers must collect and recycle e-waste proportional to the amount of electronic/electrical equipment they sell. All producers must run an EPR scheme to limit e-waste creation and promote material recovery.

 

Producers are people or businesses that:

  1. Manufacture electronics/electrical equipment in South Africa or
  2. Import electronics/electrical equipment for resale

Fulfilling EPR Requirements as an Electronics Producer

How do you make sure your business is EPR compliant in South Africa? You can either manage your EPR commitments yourself or join a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO). Whichever route you take, you will have to report how much EEE you put on the market and how much e-waste you collect and recycle.

Joining a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO)

A Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) is a not-for-profit entity that helps producers fulfil their EPR obligations. All South African PROs must be registered with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).

 

When you join a PRO, you join a group of similar producers from your industry and work on EPR compliance together. Reduced admin, pooled resources, and networking are just some of the benefits of joining a PRO for EPR. Here’s what PROs typically handle for you as a member:

  • Planning the EPR scheme (collection, recycling, etc.)
  • Helping with waste declarations
  • Communicating with municipalities
  • Finding recycling partners
  • Performance reports and audits

Take-Back Schemes for WEEE

One of the best ways to collect e-waste for EPR is through a take-back or buy-back scheme. This system encourages your customers to bring back their used devices for recycling or resale. It helps you reach your WEEE collection targets and prevents consumer electronics hoarding. You can find examples of “trade-in” services for electronics at iStore and Samsung South Africa.

Types of take-back schemes to try:

  1. Buy-back: take old electronics in exchange for cash

  2. Vouchers: provide store credit or “trade-ins”

  3. Take-back: provide no monetary compensation, accept broken and damaged devices

Including Waste Pickers in EPR

Inclusive EPR means recognising the important work of waste pickers and informal recyclers in the waste economy. Collecting and recycling e-waste is their livelihood. Producers must ensure they are not creating unfair competition to vulnerable groups when implementing EPR. Instead, producers can work with waste pickers and include them in collection networks to leverage their invaluable on-the-ground experience.

Responsible E-Waste Disposal Options

E-waste has been banned from landfills in South Africa since August 2021. It is a hazardous waste class that cannot be mixed with general household waste because of its adverse environmental impact. Businesses and individuals must find better, more sustainable ways to dispose of e-waste.

Repair

Repairing electronics and electrical devices is a skill many people don’t have. That’s why when something breaks, the first instinct is usually to replace it. However, repairing an old appliance, TV, or computer can be much cheaper and far better for the environment.

Recycle

When EEE is truly at the end of its life, the best thing to do is to recycle it. Recycling e-waste is a sophisticated process that requires specialised machinery. Facilities often employ manual sorters to dismantle the devices and remove batteries and salvageable parts before sending the rest of the e-waste into a shredder.

After shredding, machines separate metals from plastics using magnets and chemicals. The final recycling outputs are sent to other facilities for further processing where they can be turned back into useful products.

Refurbish

Electronics refurbishment is a process that makes old devices like new again. It is different from repair, which focuses on fixing a specific problem or part. Instead, refurbishment upgrades everything to make the device attractive for resale and continued use. With a laptop, for example, refurbishers might update the software, install a new hard drive and RAM, and do a deep clean.

Challenges of E-Waste Recycling

What makes e-waste recycling so challenging?

  • High recycling costs
  • Lack of public participation
  • Exposure to hazardous substances
  • Lack of established recycling infrastructure
  • No standardised recycling processes or quality control
  • Competition with waste pickers and informal recyclers
  • Limited market for recycled materials post recycling

Possible Solutions to Our E-Waste Recycling Challenges

Challenge Solution
High recycling costs Design products for easier recycling to save costs down the line.
Lack of public participation Work with a PRO to run incentivised awareness campaigns.
Exposure to hazardous substances Invest in training and PPE for recycling teams while choosing non-toxic materials wherever possible.
Lack of established recycling infrastructure Establish public-private partnerships to open new recycling facilities and create jobs.
No standardised recycling processes or quality control Develop voluntary best practices for e-waste recycling for other PRO members to follow.
Competition with waste pickers and informal recyclers Work with waste picker groups such as the South African Waste Pickers Association to build inclusive systems.
Limited market for recycled materials post-recycling Use recycled materials in your own production line to promote their quality and viability.
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