scope:

Introduction

According to ZVEI (Zentralverband Elektrotechnikund Elektronikindustrie; association of the German electrical and electronics industry) and VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau; association of the German machinery and plant manufacturing industry) between 1 400 000 t and 1 800 000 t of used electrical and electronic devices, subassemblies, and components have to be disposed of in the Federal Republic of Germany each year. This volume will certainly increase over the next 10 years. This is a consequence of technical innovations and the call of the market for a continual supply of new models at affordable prices, both of which tend to shorten product life cycles [11].

Over the last few years, experts and the public have been sensitised with respect to environmental aspects, which has led to new approaches to the handling of waste. The reasons for this are to be sought in the anticipated shortage and exhaustion of vital resources, and the increasing environmental impact. Waste dumping and incineration have, therefore, become foci of public criticism (TA Siedlungsabfall, technical ordinance on municipal solid waste). If improperly used, these disposal routes are problematic and controversial in two respects: A recovery of recyclable materials is hardly possible, and pollutants may be released into the environment via air, ground, and water.