E-Waste Recycling Ramping up in Israel Following New EPR Legislation

Israeli e-waste recycling firm, M.A.I. – Electronics Recycling, exceeded its new legally binding e-waste recycling target for 2014 of 4700 tonnes by 300 tonnes, according to a report in the Jerusalem Post. The report explained that the Electronic Waste Law, which went into force on 1 March 1 last year, requires M.A.I. to recycle around 15% by weight of the electrical equipment sold by importers making use of its services. The law itself had been subjected to a two-month delay following approval of the law’s regulations by the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee on 28 January 2014. By 2021 the report said that the E-Waste Law will require manufacturers and importers of electronic goods to recycle 50% of the total weight of the electrical and electronic goods they sell. To drive collection of e-waste the new law also requires Israeli businesses selling such goods are required to accept end of life electrical devices for disposal without additional payment when a purchases a new product of the same type. The also report noted that the new law requires that importers and manufacturers of batteries to recycle 30% to 35% by weight of their sold products, dependent on battery type, by 2019. Retailers selling batteries will be required to offer battery disposal bins. Under the legislation the cost of treating and recycling the e-waste collected is to be met by importers and manufacturers. According to the Jerusalem Post, M.A.I. is among the few accredited companies in Israel collecting and recycling e-waste from the manufacturers and importers. The report said since the law came into effect, the company found that the peak collection period took place between August and October. In total, M.A.I. was said to have collected: 2880 tonnes of large electrical products, 854 tonnes of heating and cooling appliances, 469 tonnes of communication and computing tools, 252 tonnes of small appliances, 27 tonnes of electronic screens and 4 tonnes of lighting products. “In the coming months we will invest another NIS 3 million ($760,000) in developing collection and treatment infrastructure,” Amnon Sharoor, CEO of M.A.I. was reported to have said. Read More Israeli Hazardous Waste Plasma Treatment Technology Comes to UK Cheshire UK based Simdean Envirotec, a manufacturer of technical solutions for difficult odour control and waste elimination problems, is to launch an Israeli developed plasma-based chemical waste elimination system into the UK. WEEE Recycling: Umicore Receives End-Processing Certificate Umicore, has received auditor confirmation of compliance with the EERA / Eurometaux standard on the end-processing of precious metal/copper bearing Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive fractions. U.S. E-Waste Recycling Firms Join Forces on LCD Mercury & Other Specialised Services E-waste recycler, 3S International, has formed strategic partnerships with regional and national recycling companies including IMS Electronics, Kuusakoski Recycling and Valley City Electronic Recycling as part of its strategic growth plan.