ASEKOL, the leader among compliance schemes for the take-back of WEEE and batteries in the Czech Republic, has published its collection results for 2024. In total, it collected more than 68,000 tonnes of e-waste in 2024, achieving its collection quota of 65.5%.

The results were as follows, with WEEE broken down by group:

• Group 1 – heat exchange equipment: 65.8 %
• Group 2 – TVs and monitors: 67.8 %
• Group 3– light sources: 74.8 %

“Our collection results for 2024 reflect the increasing interest shown by citizens and institutions in sorting end-of-life electrical equipment, and are also proof of the efficiency of our collection system and the easy accessibility of ASEKOL collection points. People can hand in their WEEE at more than 17,000 collection points across the country. Besides traditional collection points, the result also includes mobile collections, where we pick up appliances directly from households”, said Daniel Šafář, ASEKOL Sales and Marketing Director.

ASEKOL has long been striving to increase the number of collection points available to the general public. The collection points comprise a unique system of more than 4,000 red street containers designed to collect small WEEE, as well as the free mobile collections from households as mentioned above.

Considerable environmental savings have been achieved by recycling the collected e-waste, which can be quantified in environmental accounting terms based on an LCA analysis. Recycling 68.4 thousand tonnes of e-waste has achieved a saving of 279 thousand tonnes of CO₂. If we convert this figure into water savings, it means 2.9 million m³ of water was saved through recycling. That’s the amount of water used by 90 thousand people per year.

Public awareness and education in how to sort waste are also crucial to meeting the collection quota. As part of its work to raise awareness, ASEKOL gets the message across in the media and on social networks, supports educational programmes in schools and kindergartens, is involved in public events for children and young people, and regularly has a stand at trade fairs. The company’s strategy also includes support for reuse schemes, sustainable projects and activities with a charitable aspect.

The ASEKOL compliance scheme only passes on WEEE for recycling to certified processors who treat electrical waste in an environmentally-friendly manner, have quality working conditions in place for their employees, and ensure that their activities have no adverse impact on the environment. Depending on the type of appliance, they are able to recover up to 90% of the material.

“Our company’s responsible approach to manufacturers’ legal obligations, together with the growing interest people having been showing in sorting their waste, enable us to meet the legislative targets every year, including an increase in the amount of e-waste recycled. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who takes the issue to sort their end-of-life electrical equipment properly, as well as all our clients, partners and employees. Together, we are saving natural resources and promoting sustainable development,” adds Daniel Šafář.