Circularity in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. Comparison of a Manufacturer’s Danish and Norwegian Operations

Terje Andersen, Bjørn Jæger and Alok Mishra
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Terje Andersen: Faculty of Logistics, Molde University College—Specialized University in Logistics, P.O. Box 2110, NO-6402 Molde, Norway
Bjørn Jæger: Faculty of Logistics, Molde University College—Specialized University in Logistics, P.O. Box 2110, NO-6402 Molde, Norway
Alok Mishra: Faculty of Logistics, Molde University College—Specialized University in Logistics, P.O. Box 2110, NO-6402 Molde, Norway

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 13, 1-15

Abstract: Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) as a reverse supply chain (RSC) has a low degree of circularity, mainly focusing on recovering or recycling. Targets to increase the circularity have recently been introduced in the EU WEEE directive. In this case study, we have investigated how WEEE is handled within an electric and electronic (EE) equipment manufacturer. The case study includes findings from two different Nordic countries, Norway and Denmark, with interviews of six stakeholders. The case study shows that there are significant differences in how the case company fulfills its extended producer responsibility (EPR), especially related to reporting. The study also found that there is a mismatch between the ambitions in the WEEE directive and a company’s approach related to circularity in the end-of-life phase of an EE product. Based on the results of this case study and from the literature we propose recommendations on alignment with other directives and on a common information regime within the WEEE RSC.

Keywords: waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE); product information flow; reverse supply chain; manufacturer; circularity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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