Public participation in the reverse logistics of electronic and electrical equipment and household appliances is extremely important to ensure environmentally sound final disposal of this waste. It is so important that legislation provides for consumer participation within the shared responsibility for the product lifecycle.
The implementation of this process occurs through collection at designated points for this type of waste, avoiding disposal in regular trash or conventional recycling. For reverse logistics to be effective, it is essential that the public follow certain guidelines when disposing of these products, such as separating electronic and electrical equipment from other types of waste, ensuring that they are switched off and clean, and disposing of them intact whenever possible.
It is recommended to erase personal data contained on devices before disposal, remembering that there is no way to recover the products after they have been discarded. Proper disposal of electronic and electrical equipment helps prevent water and soil contamination, since many of these products contain toxic components such as mercury and cadmium. Furthermore, it prevents air pollution, especially in the case of appliances that use refrigerant gases, such as refrigerators and air conditioners, which, when leaked, can damage the ozone layer.
It is important to emphasize that the public incurs no cost for proper disposal, as reverse logistics is funded by manufacturers and importers. By disposing of waste correctly, consumers contribute to environmental preservation and also gain more space at home by getting rid of obsolete or unused equipment.
Raising awareness about reverse logistics and encouraging active public participation should not be limited to schools, but should extend to businesses and all households. With the frequent acquisition of new technological products, it is essential that the proper disposal of old equipment becomes a habit, aiming not only at individual benefit, but also at collective and environmental benefits.
By participating in reverse logistics, the public contributes to the reuse of materials and components from this equipment in the manufacture of new products, promoting the circular economy and reducing the need to extract natural resources. In this way, everyone wins: the environment, companies, and society itself, which benefits from a more sustainable and responsible production cycle.
