The majority of recycling equipment, 84% of the total, equating to over 17,000 tons, was collected through the Electrão network, which saw a 51% increase in collections over the past year, stated the Director of Electronics and Batteries at Electrão – Waste Management Association, Ricardo Furtado. He highlighted a 13,000-ton increase year-on-year for the semester.
Among the most recycled electrical equipment from January to June, in terms of weight, were primarily large household appliances, such as washing machines and dryers, and temperature regulation devices, like refrigerators, freezers, and radiators.
Also notable among the most recycled were small electrical appliances, such as toasters and irons, IT and telecommunications equipment, screens and televisions, and lamps.
Electrão is responsible for three waste collection and recycling systems, covering packaging, batteries, and used electrical equipment, managing a network of 15,300 collection points across the country.
Communication and awareness campaigns, including Quartel Electrão and Escola Electrão, have been developed to promote greater environmental awareness and behavioral change, increasing waste collection for recycling.
Electrão provides a free door-to-door collection service for large household appliances, which in the first six months of the year forwarded more than 388.8 tons of equipment for recycling through this campaign active in 12 municipalities of the Lisbon Metropolitan Area and the Oeste region.
“The project has been growing, and it is intended to be expanded to more municipalities this year. Besides being a convenient service for citizens, there is a guarantee that used equipment is sent for recycling without the risk of diversion,” noted Ricardo Furtado.
A study conducted by Electrão concluded that 75% of used electrical equipment, placed in public areas for collection by municipal services, is diverted to the parallel market, failing to reach treatment units where they would be properly decontaminated and recycled. This is concerning as many used devices contain hazardous components, he warned.
