In 2018, with the entrance of Open Scope, will increase the volume of Eee, resulting in a significant increase in waste outbuildings. The unclear regulations could slow down an important opportunity for the circular economy?

For over 3 years, the 15 August 2018 is a date circled in red on the calendar of those working in the energy sector and waste. Was the 14 March 2014 When it was issued a Legislative Decree (49) that transpose the European directive 19/2012, finalized to regulate the waste electrical and electronic equipment, the so-called WEEE, with a novelty: the expansion of the target.

Fuses, thorns, terminal blocks, extension cords, all those little electronic or electrical devices for which the law does not provide a written exclusion, you will combine the large and small household appliances, to computers, to television screens or tablets and so on. In essence, these electrical and electronic equipment will double. And therefore they will double even the slag.

This extension is called Open Scope, Open System. And bring with them new targets, that at the time, Despite a trend of the management of WEEE growing, seem very prohibitive for Italy.

Electronic ones are a type of waste which in itself, accomplice technological development and the increasingly widespread dissemination of electrical parts and devices in everyday objects public and private, grow faster than traditional. In the years immediately following the Decree 49/2014, the Italy overcame brilliantly the first lens place from Europe: collect at least 4 kg per capita within the 31 December 2015.

However, by January 2016, It was estimated that the collection of WEEE reached in close around the 45% products entering the market during the previous three years. The Italy, almost two years after the conclusion of this objective, It is just above the 40%. That's not all. Within the 2019, minimum collection rate established by the EU must be equal to 65% the average weight of EEE put on the market between the 2016 and the 2018. A challenge that still need to figure out how to win.

Yet the WEEE fundamental not only for the environment, But first of all for the national economy. In 2015, the savings on the purchase of raw materials, avoided thanks to the recovery of materials contained within WEEE, According to a perspective of circular economy, was approximately 120 million annually. If you are unable to reach EU targets, you would reach a annual savings of 390 million in 2025. In the same year, According to Remedia, greenhouse gas emissions, that thanks to the correct management of WEEE decreased by 1,1 million tonnes equivalent in 2015, they would lower by 2,5 tons.

In addition, not to mention a detail: the electronics industry is growing. According to the data provided by the EU for developing circular economy in our country, among the 2025 and the 2030 industry consumption will increase by 50%. Expected about 15,000 new jobs. Assuming that everything is working properly, the crisscross effect of industrial development and the European directive is an opportunity to exploit.

However, as is often the case, long-term incentives seem to lose value in a society that, starting from the political sphere, It gives too much weight to this, It is a mandate or an economic objective to be achieved in the near. Everything at once. And the present, In this case, translates into higher costs. The change of legislation will affect 7000 new companies that will be involved. Manufacturer, importers and distributors of WEEE are called, in accordance with the law of recent update, to organize, Finance and retrieve new WEEE. In essence, to manage the system. And his expenses.

Considering the deadlines of the directive, and the scope of change, in terms of industrial processes, and consequent adjustment, the entire industry, It would be desirable to hope for swift clarity regarding the same. Instead, at a distance of 3 and a half years from 49/2014, the situation is at a standstill in the debate. We're still in comparison, to understand who and what will be affected by the legislation, to define the boundaries of its application. For which, among other things, Europe itself is not yet so clear responsibility of companies operating purposes e-commerce.

Little time. Distant goals. The feeling is that the European directive is perceived as a problem, When might instead be an economic and employment opportunities. But there is still a margin so that it becomes a positive change can give new vigour to the circular economy of waste.