endoflifehantering

Endoflifehantering is the set of processes and systems used to manage products and materials that have reached the end of their useful life. It encompasses assessment, decommissioning, disposition, and follow-up activities designed to minimize environmental impact and maximize resource recovery. The concept applies to a wide range of items, including consumer electronics, batteries, vehicles, medical devices, textiles, and packaging.

Practices in endoflifehantering typically include reuse and refurbishment to extend functional life, dismantling and material recovery to separate metals, plastics, and glass, and recycling of recoverable constituents. Energy recovery, such as waste-to-energy processes, may be used for non-recyclable fractions in some jurisdictions. Disposal remains a last resort and is subject to environmental safeguards, landfilling minimization, and hazardous waste controls.

Regulatory frameworks commonly address endoflifehantering through extended producer responsibility, take-back schemes, and compliance obligations. In the European Union, directives such as WEEE (electrical and electronic equipment), RoHS (restrictions on hazardous substances), and the Battery Directive regulate collection, treatment, and reporting. Similar schemes exist in other regions. Standards such as ISO 14001 support environmental management of end-of-life activities.

Data security, particularly for end-of-life electronics, requires data sanitization and secure disposal. Hazardous substances found in many products demand careful handling, testing, labeling, and documentation to prevent environmental release.

Effective endoflifehantering requires collaboration among manufacturers, municipalities, retailers, service providers, and consumers, and is central to the transition toward a circular economy by reducing waste, conserving resources, and lowering life-cycle impacts.