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

Author

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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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Terje Andersen & Bjørn Jæger & Alok Mishra, 2020. "Circularity in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. Comparison of a Manufacturer’s Danish and Norwegian Operations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:13:p:5236-:d:377297
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Hilal Shams & Altaf Hossain Molla & Mohd Nizam Ab Rahman & Hawa Hishamuddin & Zambri Harun & Nallapaneni Manoj Kumar, 2023. "Exploring Industry-Specific Research Themes on E-Waste: A Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-22, August.
    3. Terje Andersen & Bjørn Jæger, 2021. "Circularity for Electric and Electronic Equipment (EEE), the Edge and Distributed Ledger (Edge&DL) Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-23, September.
    4. Werner-Lewandowska, Karolina & Golinska-Dawson, Paulina & Mierzwiak, Rafał, 2025. "Enablers and barriers in building the circular supply chain through remanufacturing - Grey DEMATEL approach," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    5. Felipe Seabra D’Almeida & Roberto Bentes de Carvalho & Felipe Sombra dos Santos & Rodrigo Fernandes Magalhães de Souza, 2021. "On the Hibernating Electronic Waste in Rio de Janeiro Higher Education Community: An Assessment of Population Behavior Analysis and Economic Potential," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-16, August.

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