Challenges of WEEE on reverse logistics: a case study on a collection network in Finland

The adoption of European Union’s directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) causes essential changes in the field of electronic scrap recycling. In Finland the new legislation was put in force in August 2005. The aim of the study is to discuss the problems of WEEE logistics considering the requirements of WEEE directive. This paper first describes the requirements of the legislation and the current situation of recycling management in Finland. The case study presents how collection of WEEE has been organised in Northern Finland. The problems and challenges of collection phases are discussed and an optimal model for the future is presented. The results prove that logistical costs are high and there are unnecessary handling and transportation stages in the current reverse supply chain of WEEE. The study also shows that legislation constraints, diverse characteristics and reuse value of EEE have an important impact on the strategic priorities of the future reverse logistics system of WEEE. The real challenge of collection lies in ensuring that WEEE is collected separately so that reusable equipment are separated from non-reusable ones