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According to the Electrical Devices Act, old electrical and electronic devices operated by electrical power or batteries (accumulators) have to be collected separately. Consumers may not dispose of these devices in household waste bins. This is strictly prohibited and can lead to penalties. Old electrical and electronic devices have to be recycled by the sellers or the municipal collection points. It is important to remove personal data before the devices are given away.
At fixed locations retailers who sell electrical and electronic devices on a retail space of more than 400 m²
Or
At online retailers who have a storage and dispatch space of at least 400 m².
0:1 Principle: They have to take back small devices (not larger than 25 cm) without any charge. For example: phones, smartphones, electrical tooth brushes, monitors, hairdryers, hair curlers, etc.
1:1 Principle: An electrical device (larger than 25 cm) must only be taken back if a similar device is purchased at the same time.
No. Electrical and electronic devices must not be given to scrap dealers. An environmental friendly and lawful recycling can only be guaranteed if the devices are given to retailers or municipal collection points.
Consumers are responsible for the irrevocable and correct deletion of their personal data on old electronic devices themselves. It is not sufficient to move the data into the computer’s waste paper basket as they can still be restored. It is recommended to use a special software which overwrites your data completely and deletes them unrecoverably.