The Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG) contains a large number of requirements for handling electrical and electronic equipment. The most important
 are summarized here:

1. separate collection of old equipment.
Electrical and electronic equipment that has become waste is referred to as old equipment. Owners of old appliances must dispose of them separately from unsorted municipal waste. In particular, old appliances do not belong in the household waste, but in special collection and return systems.

2. batteries and accumulators
As a rule, owners of old appliances must separate old batteries and accumulators that are not enclosed in the old appliance from the latter before handing them in at a collection point. This does not apply if the waste equipment is handed over to public waste management authorities and separated from other waste equipment there for the purpose of preparation for reuse.

3. options for returning old equipment
Owners of WEEE from private households can hand it in at the collection points of the public waste management authorities or at the take-back points set up by manufacturers or distributors as defined by the ElektroG. An online directory of collection and take-back points can be found here: https://www.ear-system.de/ear-verzeichnis/sammel-und-ruecknahmestellen.jsf.

4. data protection notice
Old devices often contain sensitive personal data. This applies in particular to information and telecommunications technology devices such as computers and smartphones. In your own interest, please note that each end user is responsible for deleting the data on the old devices to be disposed of.

5. meaning of the symbol "crossed-out dustbin
The symbol of a crossed-out dustbin, which is regularly depicted on electrical and electronic equipment, indicates that the respective device must be collected separately from unsorted municipal waste at the end of its service life. 

Distributor information according to § 18 para. 2 ElektroG

Status: July 2016