Electrical and electronic devices can be recycled free of charge at nearly 500 official regional collection points around Finland. You can find the nearest collection point at kierratys.info. Regional collection points accept electrical and electronic equipment of all sizes, from small watches and curling irons to large household appliances.
Stores selling electrical and electronic appliances also accept equipment taken out of use for free. You can bring small electrical appliances to the most supermarkets and stores without being obligated to buy a new device. Due to the lack of space, the smallest shops (less than 200 m2) do not accept the equipment. When buying a new large appliance, such as a stove or refrigerator, you can bring a used one to the store for recycling for free. The store that sells home appliances determines the possible transportation service fee separately.
In many supermarkets, the collection point is located near the front doors. For easy sorting, there are openings for small electrical appliances, fluorescent tubes, batteries and accumulators in the recycling wall.
- Please return the equipment without packaging. More info: Instructions for recycling
- The terminals of batteries and accumulators should be taped for fire safety. At the store, return batteries and accumulators to a red cardboard box or an opening in the recycling wall. More info: Safe recycling of batteries and accumulators
- You can ask the store staff if it is possible to bring the device containing data to a locked, data protected container. More info: Data protected recycling
- SEIFFI® is data protected way to recycle devices containing data. More info: Data protected recycling of devices
WEEE Recycling operates rotating collections in some areas in cooperation with local waste management companies. Rotating collection often takes place during the summer months, when waste is collected, for example, in the archipelago. The collections are announced in the newspapers, on the websites and by social media posts of waste management companies. WEEE Recycling announces the collections on Facebook and Instagram.
By picking the official collection of WEEE recycling, you make sure that the materials used in the device are utilized for the manufacturing of the new products and that harmful substances are processed in a way that protects the environment. More info: How is WEEE recycled?
The stores are obligated to accept the devices
The obligation to accept devices is defined in the Act as follows:
1. Small appliances (less than 25 cm) can be recycled free of charge in large shops
Electrical and electronic devices with none of the external dimensions over 25 cm may be brought in for free and without the obligation to purchase a new product to the following types of stores:
To the grocery store at least 1000 m2 that sells electrical and electronic devices*
To the specialty store at least 200 m2 hat sells electrical and electronic devices**
Store size refers to the sales area used permanently for business activity.
* Grocery store = store, where the most of the sales is groceries.
** Specialty store = store that sells specialty products (for long use); For example, household appliance stores, furniture stores, hardware stores.
2. Large appliances (over 25 cm) can be recycled in any store if you buy a new appliance
Electrical and electronic devices, one of the external dimensions of which exceeds 25 cm, can be brought to any store for recycling with a purchase of a new one.
If there is no need to buy a new appliance, a large household appliance can be recycled free of charge at regional collection points. You can find the nearest collection point at kierratys.info