German environment minister calls for stricter rules to prevent illegal WEEE exports
The German Environment Minister Dr Norbert Röttgen has called for stricter controls to reduce the amount waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) illegally exported from Europe. The demand came after a report was published by the Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) indicating that about 155,000 tonnes/year of hazardous electronic and electrical waste was shipped from Germany outside of Europe.
Dr Röttgen said: “The study illustrates the scale of illegal export of WEEE while also pointing out that further measures to solve the problem are necessary. The Federal government is calling for a decisive regulation at the European level.”
“Not only do many hazardous materials leave the country in used electronic equipment, but valuable raw materials such as gold, copper, platinum or indium are also exiting the raw materials cycle here at home”, said UBA president Jochen Flasbarth.
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