There are about two hundred million disused appliances 'still' in Italian homes, about eight in each family. And to think that instead of cluttering up apartments, they could become a precious resource.
Any forgotten piece of equipment can 'generate' so-called secondary raw materials. For example, up to 28 kilos of iron, 6 of plastic and over 3 of copper and aluminum can be obtained from a refrigerator.
The phenomenon of failed recycling of WEEE (waste from electrical and electronic equipment) is denounced by Ecodom, the Italian consortium for the recovery and recycling of household appliances. The survey was conducted by Ipsos. In first place among the large abandoned appliances are portable air conditioners (32%), followed by dryers (21%) and electric boilers (16%). Among the little ones, pianolas (48%) are in first place, followed by video recorders (43%) and cathode ray tube monitors (38%). In the kitchen, fryers (32%), coffee grinders (31%) and toasters (20%) also remain unused.
From 14 February 2014 it will be sufficient to deliver old small appliances to large stores (at least 400 square meters) for free collection with no obligation to purchase.
Giorgio Arienti, general manager of Ecodom, comments: “Weee can become precious resources if treated correctly and each of us can play a decisive role in enhancing the “treasure” hidden (and forgotten) in our homes. On the other hand, if we don't get rid of it properly, WEEE pose a risk to the environment. With only 4 kilos per capita per year correctly treated, Italy is now in sixteenth place in the European ranking, far from the European collection targets, equal to around 12 kilos per inhabitant per year from 2019".
