Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) is defined as any product that needs electricity or electromagnetic fields to work properly, which includes reliance on a plug, a battery, or an antenna. This covers a huge range of items, such as smartphones, laptops, washing machines, light bulbs, hairdryers, and smoke detectors. This classification also applies to equipment used to generate, transfer, or measure those currents and fields, such as solar panels, power cables, extension cords, and electricity meters. This broad category covers all such equipment designed for use with standard household and commercial low-voltage, specifically those operating with a voltage rating not exceeding 1 000 volts for alternating current (AC) and 1 500 volts for direct current (DC).
Waste is simply defined as any substance or object that its owner gets rid of, intends to get rid of, or is legally required to get rid of. This definition is intentionally broad and applies whether you throw an item in the bin (you discard it), you plan to take your old computer to a recycling point (you intend to discard it), or a law requires you to dispose of a hazardous item (you are required to discard it). Crucially, an item is still considered 'waste' even if it retains commercial value and can be recycled, as long as the original owner's primary action is to dispose of it.
Further information
Related concepts
Statistical data
Source
- Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) (ESMS metadata file — env_waselee)