Electrical and electronic waste.
Electronic waste contains toxic and dangerous substances for public health. Approximately 130,000 tons of electronic waste are produced each year in Israel as a result of a combination of wasteful consumption alongside a technological-economic-cultural phenomenon of short product life. All of these factors contribute to a continuous increase in the amount of electrical and electronic waste generated.
Although the share of electronic waste in the overall waste stream is fairly low, without proper treatment it causes environmental damage and economic loss. Electronic waste contains materials plastics, metals, oils, gases, etc.). Toxics in electronic waste include metals and semi-metals (arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, etc.), flame retardants, greenhouse gases (such as CFCs), and various oils. Components such as iron and precious metals (gold, silver, palladium, platinum and copper) also have significant economic value.
Israel’s Law for environmental treatment of electrical and electronic equipment and batteries
In 2012, the Law for Environmental Treatment of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Batteries was enacted in Israel, based on a bill drafted by Adam Teva V’Din. The law applied to manufacturers and importers of electronic products the principle of extended manufacturer liability, including the obligation to carry out proper environmental care of products at the end of their lives, in accordance with recycling targets (45% from 2020) according to the mechanism set out therein.