E-Waste Day in Graz: How to dispose of old electrical devices correctly

E-Waste Day in Graz: How to dispose of old electrical devices correctly

Every year, “E-Waste Day” is celebrated on October 14th to raise awareness about the correct disposal of old electronic devices. On this day, many cities, including Graz, take part in actions aimed at educating the population about the dangers of electronic waste and pointing out recycling options. The day is an important step to protect valuable resources and protect the environment from harmful substances.

Electrical devices that we use every day contain numerous valuable materials. Metals such as copper, silver and even gold can be recovered from old devices. These metals are not only useful, but also expensive and do not need to be mined again if we dispose of our old devices properly. At the same time, old electrical devices are often filled with pollutants such as mercury or lead, which can cause significant environmental damage if they end up in residual waste.

Where in Graz to hand over electrical appliances?

In Graz there are numerous options for disposing of old electrical devices, batteries and lamps in an environmentally friendly manner. Here are some of the top places where residents can dispose of their old devices for free:

• Problemstoff-Zone im Ressourcenpark Graz (Sturzgasse 8): Diese Einrichtung bietet eine sichere Abgabe für gefährliche Abfälle.
• Händler mit Verkaufsflächen über 150 m²: Beim Kauf eines neuen Gerätes können alte Geräte zurückgegeben werden.
• Batterien: Diese sollten in jedem Geschäft, das auch Batterien verkauft, zurückgegeben werden.
• Kleinere Elektrogeräte: Geräte mit einer Kantenlänge unter 50 cm kann man zusätzlich bei vielen Sammelstellen abgeben.
• Problemstoffsammelstellen: Umfasst u.a. die zentrale Sammelstelle am Neufeldweg 219/Maggstraße 35 und die Zentralfeuerwache am Lendplatz.

The urgency of proper disposal

The challenge of correctly recycling e-waste is significant. According to the Global E-Waste Statistics Partnership, around 53.6 million tons of electronic waste were generated worldwide in 2022, of which only around 17.4 percent were processed properly. This shows the urgent need to educate the public about the proper disposal and recycling of electronic devices.

“E-Waste Day” is not only a reminder to dispose of old electrical devices properly, but also a call to all Graz residents to actively contribute to environmental protection. The day highlights the need to view e-waste as a serious problem and find solutions together.