Page 43 - Implementation of the ITU-T International Standards for the Sustainable Management of Electrical and Electronic Equipment: On the road to a circular economy in Argentina

Implementation of the ITU-T International Standards for the Sustainable Management of
Electrical and Electronic Equipment: On the road to a circular economy in Argentina

Figure 10: WEEE collection mechanisms

Source: Own elaboration, 2021.

Among the collection mechanisms implemented by managers, the collection from private
companies is implemented by 7 out of 8 respondents, who considered it the best-performing
strategy. It is correct to conclude that the success of the strategy is based on the quantity and
quality of the material from private companies. Only one respondent mentioned door-to-door
as a collection mechanism, which was rated as the mechanism with the lowest results.

The main obstacle identified by respondents is the high costs of WEEE management. Since
the managers highlighted this difficulty, it is pertinent to review the management business
model to implement actions to optimize cost reductions. Seventy-five per cent of respondents
stated that the main measure for the proper management of WEEE is the implementation and
promotion of fiscal incentives.

Sixty-two per cent of respondents stated that they manage other types of waste in addition to
WEEE. The main materials managed are plastic, ferrous materials and aluminum. One hundred
per cent of respondents stated that they do not belong to recyclers' organizations, or have
alliances with organizations or institutions.

3.6 Evaluation of material flows

According to Recommendation ITU-T L.1031, the objective of the mass flow assessment is
to describe, quantify and analyse, by means of graphic representations, the WEEE flows and
how they circulate among the players. Taking into consideration national information, existing
statistics, relationships between players, and information from surveys, the material flow for
Argentina was developed as detailed below. For further methodological insights on the study,
please refer to the detailed material flow analysis.

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