Electric and electronic equipment
Waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) is equipment removed from use that requires electricity, an accumulator, battery or solar energy to operate. All light bulbs, with the exception of incandescent and halogen light bulbs, are also electric equipment.
The Sortti collection vehicles tour during 2.4.–4.6.2024
The Sortti collection vehicles will stop at 291 different locations around the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and Kirkkonummi. The vehicles accept three different types of domestic waste from residents free of charge:
- hazardous waste
- electric and electronic devices
- scrap metal.
Offer spare devices that are still functional to companies selling second hand equipment or to a flea market. When you buy a new device from a store, always offer the old one in exchange. The Helsinki Metropolitan Area Reuse Centre accepts electric and electronic equipment in any condition.
Electrical scrap includes, for example, disused
- household appliances
- lamps
- home electronics
- digital meters
- electric tools
- control and monitoring equipment
- control devices of heating systems
- electric or battery operated or rechargeable toys
- computers
- phones
- light bulbs and string lights (apart from incandescent and halogen light bulbs, which are mixed waste)
Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent light bulbs (energy-saving bulbs) must be sorted into the hazardous waste collection container at Sortti Stations, due to the risk of breakage. They can also be delivered to hazardous waste reception points.
Items not allowed in the collection of electric and electronic equipment include
- internal-combustion engines > scrap metal
- incandescent and halogen light bulbs > mixed waste
Electric and electronic devices do not belong in mixed waste. Do not leave them at the property’s waste collection point.
Where to take electrical scrap?
The collection and utilisation of electric and electronic equipment is based on producer responsibility. Residents can deliver all waste electric and electronic equipment to the nationwide network of WEEE collection points, e.g. Sortti Stations. Collection is free of charge.
Individual small electric and electronic equipment (under 25 cm) and energy-saving light bulbs can be delivered to the larger stores selling them (household appliance shops, department stores) without the obligation to buy a new device. Stores will accept larger devices if you purchase a new device to replace it.
Free-of-charge reception does not apply to only the plastic casings of dismantled devices or to special equipment intended for professional use (so-called business products).
Deliver larger amounts of large-size (> 50 cm) electric and electronic equipment to a reception point for companies. Please contact the reception point in advance. National reception points are available at kierratys.info.
What is electrical scrap used for?
Electrical scrap is collected separately so that the materials contained in the equipment can be utilised. This also allows harmful substances, such as lead and mercury, to be recovered from the equipment.
The equipment is crushed, and up to 99% of the materials are reused as industrial raw materials. The recycling of electric and electronic equipment is the responsibility of producer organisations formed by equipment manufacturers and importers.