Who is Ecotrel ?

Since 2005, a Grand-ducal regulation transposing European directives makes mandatory collection and recycling of electrical and electronic equipments.

In 2004 after the publication of the directives, 43 Luxembourg companies which import these kind of equipments in our country have decided to create the non-profit making association Ecotrel, which supports the collection and recycling of these equipments throughout Luxembourg.

Currently, over 500 companies of different sizes and from different sectors are affiliated to Ecotrel and contribute with their funding to improve the environment in which we live.

Why a recycling fee?

Since the 1st of January 2006, you pay a recycling fee when you buy a new electric and electronic equipment in Luxembourg. This fee is used to finance the collection and recycling of waste of electrical and electronic equipments coming back in municipal waste disposal centre and ensure that the purchased unit will also be collected and recycled in the future. This fee also allows that there are no more dumps in the nature because the delivery in a centre is free of charge since the 1st of April 2006.

What equipments are involved?

Equipments that are subject to a recycling fee are grouped in 10 categories:

1) Large household appliances
These are large machines such as refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers. There are also medium-sized appliances such as ovens, hoods, mobile heaters.

2) Small household appliances
There are in this category , vacuum cleaners, flat irons, hair dryers, cooking appliances such as coffee maker, blender ...

3) Computing and telecommunication equipment
Computers and other various IT appliances such as : screens, mouses, keyboards, external modems, scanners, printers, but also phones, mobile phones, faxes.

4) Audio-visual appliances
This category includes TVs, DVD players, cameras, stereos, radios ...

5) Lighting equipment
In the light sources, there are the low energy light bulbs and fluorescent tubes because of the harmful substances they contain. Lighting devices for fluorescent and compact fluorescent lamp with ballast.

6) Electric tools and gradening equipment
Anything for working in your house or maintain your garden: trimmers, drills, compressors ...

7) Toys, leisure and sports equipment
All toys and equipment for recreation and sports working with batteries.

8) Medical devices
Only electric household medical appliances

9) Monitoring and control instruments
Measuring instruments, smoke detectors...

10) Automatic dispensers
Automatic dispensers for drinks, food, money …

Amount due in recycling fees

Large household appliances

• 1.1 Refrigeration appliances 8,05 VAT included
  Combination refrigerator and freezer appliance, Climate control appliance, Wine refrigerator, Freezer - Chest, Freezer - Upright, Air dehumidifier, Minifridge, Refrigerator, Absorption cool / freezer box
• 1.2. Large appliances 0,92 € VAT included
  Combination washing machine and dryer, Sunbed, Ironing machine, cuisinière Gas cooker with electric/electronic heating element, Electric cooker, Spin dryer, Washing machine, Dishwasher, Solarium / Solar sky with overhead lamps, Tumble dryer
• 1.3. Medium-sized appliances 0,02 € VAT included
  Gas cooking or hot plates (multiple), Oven , Microwave oven, four Combination oven (grill, microwave, …), Cooker Hood, Mini washing machine / Portable washing machine, Steam cleaner, Electric cooking or hot plates (multiple), Oil-containing radiator
• 1.4. Heaters and fans 0,02 € VAT included
  Mobile heater, Cooling / Heating appliance, Heating appliance for baby, Electric underblanket / Mattress warmers, Heating cushion, Electric blanket, Heating footrest, Ceiling-mounted fan, Personal fan, Wall fan.

Small household appliances

• 2.1. Cleaning and sewing appliances 0,45 € VAT
  included Shoe brush, Floor polisher, Combination vacuum cleaner / Floor cleaner, Floor cleaner, Sewing machine, Knitting machine, Trouser press, Oversew machine
• 2.2. Vacuum cleaners 0,02 € VAT included
  Dust and/or water vacuum cleaner
• 2.3. Domestic appliances 0,02 € VAT included
  Insect killer / insect expeler / anti-insect, Clothes care appliance, Dustbuster / Vaccuum cleaners, Soap dispenser, Animal collar (RF Technology), Air dehumidifier , Flagrance diffusers / Air fresheners, Iron, Steam iron with or without external steam generator, Air humidifier, Cat box, Mobile radiation panel, Active ironig board, Automatic Dustbin, Air purifier / Airing appliances, Woll defuzzer, Weather station, Trimmers / Grooming brush for animals
• 2.4. Personal care and hair-removal appliances for men 0,02 € VAT included
  Nose and ear hair trimmer, Electric razor, Hair trimmer, Beard trimmer
• 2.5. Personal care and hair-removal appliances for women 0,02 € VAT included
  Facial tanner, Manicure and/or pedicure appliances, Depilatory kit, Hair colouring appliances, Curlig iron / Tongs, Hair drying hood, Electric slimming pants, Facial massage appliance, Hair dryer, Curler set
• 2.6. Healthcare, massage, etc. 0,02 € VAT included
  Acupuncture appliance, Aromatherapy device, Phototherapy appliance (Bright light), Massage machine (including hydromassage), Foot massage / thalassotherapy appliances, Muscle stimulation device, Electric mouthwash and/or toothbrush and/or irrigator, Sauna belt, Massage cushion / top seat, Facial cleanser, Infra-red lamp, Face cleaner / peeling, Personal scales, Facial sauna, Whirlpool carpet
• 2.7. Cooking appliances 0,02 € VAT included
  Knife sharpener / Scissor sharpener, Toasted sandwichmaker, Raclette maker, Water filter / Limescale neutraliser, Hotdog maker, Vacuum sealer, Kitchen scales, Barbecue, Blender, Electric kettle, Coffee maker, Juicer, Chocolate fountain / Chocolate maker, Plate warmer / Warming appliance, Bottle warmer / Cup warmer, Dish warmer, Egg Boiler, Electric knife, Multi party (pancake party), Rice cooker, Steame cooker, Express cooker, Fruit dryer, Cover unscrewer, Potato peeler, Deep fat fryer, Water fountain, Cheese maker, Waffle iron, Grill, Toaster, Chopper-grinder, Meat grinder, Espresso maker, Candy floss cloud machine, Fritter and donut machine, Ice maker / Ice grinder, Bread maker, Pasta machine, Popcorn maker, Mixture maker, Simmer machine, Milkshake maker / Cocktailshake maker, Time-switch, Hand-held blender, Coffee grinder, Can opener / Knife sharpener, Bottle opener, Grill-stone, Plancha, Stove-top or hot plate (single), Stove-top Teppan Yaki, Icing bag, Pizza pan, Salt / Pepper / Spice grinder, Fruit squeezzer, Bottle refresher, Food processor, Sauce-boat, Fondue set, Gourmet set, Sorbet / ice-cream maker, Bag sealer, Steriliser, Tajin, Tea machine, Wine thermometer, Slicing machine, Electric Wok, Yoghurt maker
• 2.8. Small appliances 0,02 € VAT included
  Insect killer with tablets and/or liquid, Electrical cigarette roller, Barbecue poker, Stopwatch – Watch, Electric cigarette, Flagrance diffusers / Air freshners, Individual clock, Pocket sawing machine, Disposable electric razor, Insect killer racket, Alarm clock, Personal fan

Computing and telecommunication equipment

• 3.0. Personal computers 0,49 € VAT included
  Complete Personal Computer (case + keyboard + mouse)
• 3.1. Personal computers and typewriter 0,45 € VAT included
  Electric/electronic typewriter, Computer case, Desktop Personal Computer
• 3.2. LCD/TFT/CRT/Plasma/Led Monitors 2,75 € VAT included
  LCD/TFT/CRT/Plasma/Led Monitors
• 3.3. Laptops and Digital Photo Display 0,45 € VAT included
  Digital Photo Display, Laptop / Netbook / Notebook / Tablet / E-Book computer
• 3.4. Hard-copy printers / Fax 0,45 € VAT included
  Fax machine, Printer
• 3.5. Photocopiers / All-in-one devices 0,45 € VAT included
  Copying device / All-in-one device
• 3.6. Small IT equipment 0,02 € VAT included
  Stapler (for office use), Powerline Ethernet, Calculator with or without printing facility, Computer Keyboard, Paper shredder, Dictaphone, External drive, wifi routers, etc. , Slide / Projector screen, Code generator, Computer loudspeakers, Hubs / Switches / Routers / Modems / Access Points, Laminating machine / Binding machine, Games computer, Handheld computer / PDA / Pocket PC / Organiser, Projector, Laptop / Notebook / Netbook cooler, Scanner, Computer mouse, pointing, game device, Scanning pen, Digital white board, Pencil sharpener, UPS – Nobreak, Webcam, Other devices working on the USB port
• 3.7. Telecommunication devices 0,02 € VAT included
  GPS/ navigation/ geolocalisation units, GSM (mobile telephone) / Smartphone, Telephone, Home telephone exchange, Answering machine

Audio-visual appliances

• 4.1.1. Image reproduction appliances less or equal then 20 inches 0,45 € VAT included
  Television
• 4.1.2. Image reproduction appliances greater then 20 inches and less or equal to 32 inches 1,60 € VAT included
  Television
• 4.1.3. Image reproduction appliances greater then 32 inches 2,75 € VAT included
  Television
• 4.2. Sound receiving, recording and reproduction devices 0,02 € VAT included
  Satellite dish, Video editing equipment / Video and sound mixer, Security camera, Video camera, Digital Video Converter, Home theater set, Electric field glass / Telescope / Night glass, Laser disc player, Video glasses, Video player / Recorder, Combination Video player / Recorder and DVD, Blu-ray player / Recorder, Satellite / Terrestrial / Demodulateur receiver, Mini, midi and micro audio system, Videophone , Wireless video transmitter
• 4.3. Sound recording and reproduction devices 0,02 € VAT included
  Antenna / Distributing amplifier, Audio amplifier / Egaliser, Audio amplifier and DVD, Citizen Band (CB) Radiotransmitter, Hard-disc recorder, Tape / Cassette / CD / MD player / Recorder, Multimedia network player, DVD / HD DVD/ Blu ray/ Player,Recorder, Radio / Tuner / TV Receiver, Soundmixer / Mixing board , Record player
• 4.4. Portable appliances and car audio 0,02 € VAT included
  Baby Alarm, Car audio amplifier / Egaliser, Antenna with incorporated amplifier, Photo camera (analogue), Photo camera (digital), Portable radio and audio appliances, Car audio / video item, Babyphone / Babytalker, Headphone (wireless), Car audio / video package, Hands-free kit, CD / CD-MP3 / Mini-disc player, MP3 / MP4 Player, Microphone, Megaphone, Radio alarm clock, Intercom system, Portable system for reproduction of sound and images with battery or operting on 12 volts, Talkie-Walkie, MP3 FM Transmitter
• 4.5. Printer and projectors (image) 0,02 € VAT included
  Camera printer, Video printer, Slide projector
• 4.6. Other 0,02 € VAT included
  Pocket Alarm, Antenna without incorporated amplifier, Photo camera (analogue), Headphone with wire, Battery charger, Passive loudspeakers, Alarm installation, CD, DVD, Blu-ray reparation/cleaning device, Anti-drowsiness alarm, Guitar pedal and appliances to tune them in, Laser Pointer, Portable radio without buit-in loudspeakers / Scan radios, Remote control
• 4.7. Active loudspeakers 0,02 € VAT included
  Active loudspeaker / docking station • 4.8. Musical instruments 0,10 € VAT included Drum, Electric guitar, Electric organ, Digital piano, Synthetiser

Lighting equipment

• 5.1. Lighting device 0,02 € VAT included
  Lighting devices or equipment designed to provide the light sources listed below
• 5.2. Light sources 0,07 € VAT included
  T Compact fluorescent lamp and plane fluorescent
• 5.3. Lighting device with 1 light source 0,09 € VAT included
• 5.4. Lighting device with 2 light sources 0,16 € VAT included
• 5.5. Lighting device with 3 light sources 0,23 € VAT included
• 5.6. Lighting device with 4 light sources 0,30 € VAT included

Electric tools and gradening equipment
(excepted large, fixed industrial tools)

• 6.1. Electric gardening tools 0,02 € VAT included
  Lawn aerator, Grinder, Grass shears, Composter, Edge trimmer (nylon), Brush cutter – Trimmer, Mole expeler, Wood splitting machine, Aquarium pump / filter, Well pump, Pond pump / Fountain pump, Sprayer, Dethatcher , Prunning shears, Leaf blower / Vacuum sweeper, Hedge trimmer, Lawn mower, Chain saw
• 6.2. Electric tools 0,02 € VAT included
  Router plane, Stapler / Nail machine, Vacuum cleaner for electrical tools, Electric concrete mixer, Bolting machine, Diamond core drill for wet and dry drilling, Shears, Compressor, Tyre pressure controller, Paint stripper, Copying milling cutter, Wallpaper steamer, Disc harrow, Welding iron / unwelding iron, Drill, Cable churn drill - impact drill, Nibbler, Multifunctional machine, Chipping or demolition hammer, Electronic welding mask, Mixer, Straight wheel grinder, Right grinder, Grinder , Minitool (proxon-dremel), High pressure cleaner, Laser level, Electric hoist, Glue gun, Paint gun, Car polisher, Rechargeable air pump, Tyre pump, Belt/strip sander, Evacuation pump, Orbital rotor sander, Orbital sander, Three-sided sander, Plane, Plane for concrete, Jointer, Paint roller, Metal saw with blade, Mitre saw, Band saw, Circular saw, Reciprocating saw / Pendulum saw / Sword saw, Jigsaw, Table circular saw, Welding machine (single-phase), Vacuum and/or blower, Angle sleeker/spatula, Void unwelding station, Tapping machine, Rotary disc cut-off machine, Screw gun, Impact wrench

Toys, leisure and sports equipment

• 7.1. Toys, leisure and sports equipment under 10 kg 0,02 € TTC
  Electric trains or car racing sets, Hand-held video game consoles, Toys with battery, Toys with accumulator, Other toys with power cord, Computers for biking, diving, running, rowing, etc., Sports equipment with electric or electronic components, Gadgets
• 7.2. Toys, leisure and sports equipment over 10 Kg 0,02 € TTC
  Toys with battery, Toys with accumulator, Other toys with power cord, Computers for biking, diving, running, rowing, etc.

Medical devices (with the exception of all implanted and infected products)

• 8.1. Household medical appliances 0,02 € TTC
  All electric household medical appliances

Monitoring and control instruments

• 9.1. Monitoring instruments with CRT / TFT / Plasma monitor 0,45 € TTC
  Monitoring instruments
• 9.2. Other monitoring or control instruments 0,02 € TTC
  Smoke detector, Heating regulators, Thermostats, Measuring, weighing or adjusting for household or as laboratory equipment

What should I do with waste of electrical and electronic equipments?

To make sure that your devices are recycled in an environmentally friendly way, you can dispose of them at a waste disposal centre. Luxembourg has more than twenty of these centres managed by local authorities or local authority joint associations. For further information, please contact your local authority.

You can also dispose of your waste of electrical and electronic equipments at the mobile collections organised by the “SuperDrecksKëscht fir Biirger” initiative. For further information, please contact the "SuperDrecksKëscht fir Biirger" initiative.

Some municipalities also practice home collection. For more information, please contact your municipality.

What happens to waste of electrical and electronic equipments ?

The devices are first subjected to a sort. They are collected and then dismantled for the recovery of parts, decontaminated and recycled in an environmentally responsible manner in specialized treatment centres.

Some devices are subject to special treatments. Old fridges contain CFCs or Freon gases responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer. These greenhouse effect gases are extracted. The CRT monitors contain heavy metals and the inside is coated with a luminescent metal powder. The glass is reduced in small particles before recycling.

After removal, the different materials are recovered, recycled and converted into raw material. The recovered metals are reused in the steel industry and are used to manufacture a range of products that surround our daily lives. Copper, zinc and aluminium are recycled to produce electronic components or cables.

Plastics are sorted according to their types and their color and they are reused in different types of industry to make new objects.

What does the symbol of the crossed-out wheeled bin mean?