According to the annual report of the WEEE Coordination Center (Centro di Coordinamento RAEE), in 2017 the total collection of WEEE managed by the Collective Systems amounted to 296,274,320 kg in Italy. A satisfactory result that reinforces the growth trend started in 2014 with a further annual increase of 4.7%, ie over 13 million kilograms of WEEE collected more than the previous year. The average per capita figure stands at 4.9 kg per inhabitant. The network of Collection Centers active in the national territory includes 4,076 structures, with a further improvement of the service available to citizens and consumers for the correct conferment of WEEE. Considering the different appliances, the R2 Group (major white appliances) has totaled over 96 thousand tons of WEEE and is the most collected. The R1 Group (Cooling and Air Conditioning) grows by 5.63%, R4 (small domestic appliances) shows an increase of 9.04% and R5 (light sources) increases by 5.69%. On the other hand, the R3 Group (TVs and monitors) recorded a -3.76% compared to 2016. Besides, as regards to the different geographical areas, Valle d’Aosta is the most virtuous region in Italy with a per capita average of 9.94 kg/inhabitant and is first, together with Trentino Alto Adige, for the diffusion of the collection centers. Tuscany stands out among the regions of Central Italy, Sardinia is the best in the Southern Italy and Islands. “We are very satisfied with the achieved results thanks to the commitment of Collective Systems and all collection operators, whether they are Municipalities, waste management companies or retailers and installers of electrical and electronic equipment – comments Giancarlo Dezio, President of the WEEE Coordination Center -. The situation is positive, but the European objectives are pressing us and we must look to the future. First of all it is necessary to fill the imbalances that still persist in the Country; the local authorities must implement serious information policies and create infrastructures to support the diffusion of the collection culture. The WEEE System in Italy gave its significant contribution also in 2017: the EEE manufacturers, through the Collective Systems, have made available almost 20 million euros among efficiency bonuses, infrastructure fund and funds for communication”.
