EndoflifeEntsorgung

EndofLifeEntsorgung refers to the systematic management of products at the end of their life cycle, with the aim of minimizing environmental impact, maximizing material recovery, and ensuring compliance with legal requirements. It encompasses a range of products, notably consumer electronics, batteries, vehicles, medical devices, and other industrial equipment. Typical activities include decommissioning, collection, transportation, sorting, pretreatment, recycling, material recovery, energy recovery where appropriate, and the safe disposal of non-recyclable residues. For devices containing data, data sanitization is often part of the process.

In regulatory terms, EndofLifeEntsorgung operates within frameworks such as the European Union's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive and RoHS restrictions, as well as extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes that assign product end-of-life costs to manufacturers. Internationally, the Basel Convention governs cross-border movements of hazardous waste; national and regional rules vary.

Key technologies include mechanical and manual sorting, shredding, separation of metals and plastics, as well as metallurgical processes for metal recovery. The field emphasizes design for end-of-life (DfE), take-back programs, and standardized recycling practices to improve recyclability and reduce environmental impact. Data security and privacy considerations also shape processes for devices storing information.

Challenges include illegal shipments, informal recycling sectors, contamination and mix of materials, high logistics costs, and variability in consumer participation. Advances in circular economy thinking, digital tracking of products, and certification of recyclers help address these issues.

See also: WEEE, RoHS, EPR, recycling, circular economy.