Foundation

elretur is a Danish WEEE collection and treatment system that secures environmentally safe treatment and disposal of all WEEE. All producers and importers of EEE in Denmark are allowed as member of elretur. elretur is founded by a number of Danish trade associations including the Trade Association of Consumer Electronics, the Association of manufacturers and importers of Electrical Household Appliances and Danish Industry.

elretur was founded in 2005 and the first year was used for information activities, negotiation with the braches and the authorities and for admitting new members. elretur became operational on 1st April 2006 which was the day producers took over the responsibility for collection and treatment of WEEE in Denmark.

Collection system

Almost all WEEE in Denmark is collected through municipal “recycling centers” where households and often also companies can deliver all kinds of waste. There are about 500 “recycling centers” in Denmark. The municipalities are responsible for the “recycling centers” while elretur’s operators pick-up and transport the WEEE from the centers to the treatment facilities.

Transport partners

After a call for tender, elretur contracted five treatment operators which are now responsible for pick-up/transport and treatment of WEEE in various regions in Denmark. The treatment operators have made contracts with transport companies.