Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in Denmark: Flows, quantities and management

In this study, we comprehensively map and estimate the flows of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and the corresponding waste (WEEE) in Denmark. The quantitative analysis is supplemented with a thorough diagnosis of the WEEE management system. Dynamic material flow analysis (MFA) is used to estimate the flows for the period of 1990–2025. The estimates are based on sales data of 61 household products – equivalent to 80% (by weight) of the total household EEE – and their lifespans modelled using Weibull distribution function. Building on this, the potential resources available for recovery over time, and their corresponding revenues are evaluated. The results show that the amount of WEEE generated per year increased from 45 to 81 kilo tons (kt) between 1990 and 2015. The amount of EEE put on market (PoM), on the other hand, peaked to 101 kt in 2006 from 61 kt in 1991, but declined to 84 kt in 2015. In terms of the PoM quantity, the EEE market is found saturated, and can be expected to remain largely unchanged over the next decade. Consequently, there will not be any significant increase in WEEE quantities. Denmark has a well-established WEEE management system that has been performing adequately against the WEEE Directive. However, the new set of legislations means a need for recalibration of the performance indicators for the system. A more robust and systematic documentation of the flows will support the WEEE management system in achieving higher resource recovery.