LogiWEEE - Technology and logistics for more efficient collection of WEEE

Purpose and goal

The aim of the project was to generate knowledge and solutions for improving the collection system for waste electrical and electronic products (WEEE) in Sweden. An additional aim was to stimulate the collaboration in the field between Sweden and Norway. We believe that the aims have been fulfilled as the project has led to i) extensive proposals for solutions for improving the Swedish system, ii) effective collaboration leading to subsequent R&D projects between Swedish and Norwegian RTD performers, and iii) business collaboration between Swedish and Norwegian collection schemes.

Expected results and effects

The project has, by analyzing and comparing the national collection systems for WEEE in Sweden and Norway, identified the most important areas and actions for improvement of the Swedish collection system with regards to transport efficiency and environmental impact. A large number of improvement actions have been proposed in the project and some of these are expected to be implemented in the next years leading to a more efficient and environmentally sustainable collection system.

Planned approach and implementation

Collection processes, transportation and performance were compared for three pairs of municipalities in Sweden/Norway: Göteborg/Oslo; Karlskoga/Lillehammer; and Östersund/Tromsö. The effect of number of collection points, type and filling rate of carriers, transportation mode and co-operation between the actors of the collection chain were mapped and shown to have a large influence on the environmental impact of the collection. Suggestions for improvements with a great potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact, were developed in the project.