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A Failing Grade for WEEE Take-Back Programs for Information Technology Equipment

Nina Nakajima

University of Toronto

Willem H. Vanderburg

University of Toronto

Product take-back (also called extended producer responsibility) has become a trend for dealing with the garbage resulting from categories of problematic products. Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is one such category with computer equipment being of particular significance. This article provides a description of the European Union’s program to require the take-back of WEEE as well as the status of similar programs in Canada and the United States. It is concluded that although these programs meet the goal of reducing the quantity of hazardous materials going to landfills, they do not go to the root of the problem by means of preventive approaches that create more circular materials flows. Plastics used in WEEE pose a serious problem, as they are generally not recycled.

Key Words: product take-back • extended producer responsibility • waste electronic and electrical equipment • information technology equipment, environmental policy • preventive engineering

Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, Vol. 25, No. 6, 507-517 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0270467605282646
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