Abstract
The article analyzes the treatment of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in Ukraine. The amount of established WEEE in Ukraine is assessed by analyzing the electronics market and statistics on waste generation in the industrial and commercial sectors. The main component of WEEE in Ukraine is plastic (30%), as well as copper (20%) and iron (8%). About 28 thousand tons of WEEE (technological equipment – 60%, accumulators and batteries – 21%, household and office appliances – 13%, components of electrical equipment – 4%, fluorescent lamps – 2%) are created in Ukraine annually. These data may be underestimated due to the lack of WEEE monitoring system in the household sector. 128 Ukrainian enterprises can collect certain types of WEEE that contain hazardous compounds (batteries, fluorescent lamps, etc.). 22 of them are licensed to use these wastes. All other WEEE is not covered. 2 oblasts do not have any enterprises that could help to treat WEEE. Existing businesses cannot properly recycle waste that has already accumulated and will continue to grow. Thus, Ukraine needs the adoption of relevant legislation at the national level, the creation of WEEE reception points, assistance and control over the treatment of WEEE by enterprises, as well as the creation of an effective system for monitoring WEEE flows. It is necessary to inform the population about the harm of WEEE to the environment and further to human health and to carry out a campaign to promote separate garbage collection and the need to separate electrical appliances from solid waste