WEEE refers to waste arising from electrical and electronic equipment. WEEE includes any item that required an electrical power supply (from the mains or a battery) to function and which the owner intends to dispose of because it is faulty, obsolete or no longer in use. Common examples: personal computers and peripherals, monitors/TVs, telephones and smartphones, small household appliances, refrigeration appliances, light sources (neon signs and lamps).

If you are a private individual, you can take your waste to a local council collection point or use the door-to-door collection service. In these circumstances, you do not need to present any documents; you simply need to be up to date with your waste collection charges.

If you are a business or other legal entity, the procedure is more complex and is strictly regulated by the Consolidated Environmental Act. To avoid errors or penalties, the correct procedure involves:

Classification of waste and assignment of an EER code.
Temporary storage in a designated area, with waste separated by type/hazard level and labelled.
Documentation and traceability: FIR for each transport; loading/unloading register where required; annual MUD where applicable.
Delivery to authorised facilities for recovery or disposal, in compliance with the Consolidated Environmental Act.
SANECO SRL is registered with the Register of Environmental Operators and can handle collection and compliance requirements relating to the traceability of corporate WEEE.

Private individuals do not incur any costs for the collection and disposal of their electrical and electronic waste, and are free to hand it in at any time at the designated municipal collection points.

For VAT-registered individuals and businesses, costs are quoted on a case-by-case basis. Factors affecting the cost include: quantity/weight, type and hazardousness, packaging and access, distance/transport required, any necessary analyses and urgent requests. Planning times are generally a few working days, with priority slots available where possible.

SANECO SRL provides technical quotes and schedules collections according to operational requirements.

Once collected, WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) is not disposed of in the general waste stream, but is sent for specialised treatment – a process that is vital for the circular economy and environmental protection.

The main stages are:

1. COLLECTION AND CONSOLIDATION
2. CLEANING AND DISASSEMBLY
3. SHREDDING AND SEPARATION
4. RECOVERY AND RECYCLING
5. SAFE DISPOSAL

The correct treatment of WEEE is crucial because it allows valuable and reusable materials to be recovered, reducing the need to extract new raw materials. It prevents hazardous substances, such as lead, mercury or cadmium, from contaminating soil and water if they end up in uncontrolled landfills.

If you are a private individual, you can go to a municipal collection centre (recycling point) and place your computer in the designated container. Some local authorities organise door-to-door collection services on specific days; please check your local council’s website for further information.

For VAT-registered individuals and businesses, disposal must be carried out via authorised operators (registered with the Register of Environmental Managers). The process involves correct classification using the EER code, transport via a Waste Transport Document (FIR), and traceability to the final destination in accordance with current legislation.

SANECO SRL assists companies at every stage of the collection and disposal process, providing technical advice and support in preparing the documentation required by environmental regulations.

Yes, photovoltaic panels are, for all intents and purposes, classified as WEEE.

Photovoltaic panels from domestic systems with a nominal power output of less than 10 kWp are classified as Domestic Photovoltaic WEEE; these must be disposed of at municipal collection points under Group R4.

Photovoltaic systems with a nominal power of 10 kWp or more are classified as Professional Photovoltaic WEEE. Their management is more complex; specialist companies such as SANECO will be able to provide you with the correct guidance.

In summary, end-of-life photovoltaic panels are special waste requiring a specific disposal and recycling process for the recovery of materials (silicon, glass, aluminium, copper).

If you are a private individual, you can take your waste to a local council collection point or use the door-to-door collection service. In these circumstances, you do not need to present any documents; you simply need to be up to date with your waste collection charges.

If you are a business or other legal entity, the procedure is more complex and is strictly regulated by the Consolidated Environmental Act. To avoid errors or penalties, the correct procedure involves:

Classification of waste and assignment of an EER code.
Temporary storage in a designated area, with waste separated by type/hazard level and labelled.
Documentation and traceability: FIR for each transport; loading/unloading register where required; annual MUD where applicable.
Delivery to authorised facilities for recovery or disposal, in compliance with the Consolidated Environmental Act.
SANECO SRL is registered with the Register of Environmental Operators and can handle collection and compliance requirements relating to the traceability of corporate WEEE.

The parties involved in the collection of photovoltaic modules and inverters depend on the type of system and the date of installation. The parties authorised to collect photovoltaic WEEE fall into three main categories:

The Collective Scheme/Manufacturer

The responsibility for disposal lies with the Manufacturer if the modules were installed after 12 April 2014, regardless of power output, and for domestic WEEE handed in at Collection Centres prior to 2014. Essentially, the owner contacts the manufacturer, distributor, or the Consortium to which the manufacturer belongs. They will organise the collection and transport.

Municipal Collection Centres (Recycling Points)

These are the designated points for domestic photovoltaic WEEE. After dismantling by qualified personnel, the owner arranges transport to the Collection Centre, and disposal is free of charge. Alternatively, they may contact specialist companies such as Saneco Srl, which is specialised and authorised to transport waste.

Authorised Specialist Companies

For historical (pre-2014) professional WEEE (systems of 10 kWp or more), collection and disposal are the responsibility of the owner/responsible party. They must contact a company specialising in waste management that is registered with the National Register of Environmental Managers. Saneco Srl is duly authorised for collection, transport and sending for recovery.

The documents required for disposal are:

• In the case of commercial WEEE and collection from businesses, the Waste Identification Form is mandatory. This document accompanies the waste during transport and certifies that it has been correctly delivered to an authorised facility.
• In the case of an Incentivised Facility (Energy Account), the Declaration of Delivery of Incentivised Photovoltaic WEEE is mandatory. It certifies that the WEEE has been taken into charge by an Authorised Entity/Collection Centre. It is essential for claiming a refund from the GSE.
• In the case of a Subsidised System (Delivery to an Authorised Facility), the Certificate of Treatment/Recovery is mandatory. It is issued by the final treatment facility, demonstrates that the waste has been correctly sent for recycling, and is necessary for the refund of the GSE deposit.
• In the case of a Subsidised Facility (Household waste delivered to a Collection Centre), the Delivery Receipt to the Collection Centre is mandatory. It certifies the free delivery of WEEE in the R4 category. It partially replaces the FIR.

The cost and timeframe for the collection and disposal of photovoltaic panels (WEEE) depend significantly on the category of your system and on who is legally responsible for the waste. The cost may be free of charge, borne by the manufacturer (already included in the purchase price), or a variable cost borne by the owner (with prices varying), or a deposit (in the case of GSE).

Contact SANECO and we will provide you with all the necessary assistance.

The cost and timeframe for the collection and disposal of photovoltaic panels (WEEE) depend significantly on the category of your system and on who is legally responsible for the waste. The cost may be free of charge, borne by the manufacturer (already included in the purchase price), or a variable cost borne by the owner (with prices varying), or a deposit (in the case of GSE).

Contact SANECO and we will provide you with all the necessary assistance.

The only thing that changes when photovoltaic modules are damaged by hail is the reason for their decommissioning. As regards disposal regulations and the step-by-step procedure, these remain the same as those applicable to modules that have reached the end of their life or are faulty for other reasons.

In summary, modules damaged by hail are WEEE in every respect, and their management always depends on: rated power, date of installation, and whether the system is subsidised by the GSE.

The deposit held by the GSE (Energy Services Operator) on the Energy Account is only refunded to the plant operator once the disposal process for the photovoltaic modules has been completed and properly documented. The refund is not immediate and is subject to specific legal deadlines and verification by the GSE.

When it comes to storage systems (batteries and storage units) connected to a photovoltaic system, these also fall under the category of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and, furthermore, are classified as hazardous waste (depending on their chemical composition, e.g. lithium or lead).

Before collecting storage batteries, it is crucial to follow a strict procedure to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.

Trust SANECO for accurate and professional advice.