From December 1st, anyone who delivers an old television, refrigerator, freezer or air conditioning unit may be entitled to a discount on the purchase of new electrical equipment. The incentive varies between R$20 and R$35 and is part of a new system created to increase the collection and correct treatment of this waste.
The measure is foreseen in the , of May 15th, which establishes the rules of the Direct Economic Incentive System (SIED). This system applies to the recovery of waste from electrical and electronic equipment, within the scope of the Integrated Waste Management System from Electronic and Electronic Equipment (SIGREEE).
What electrical equipment is covered?
In the first stage, the discount only applies to four types of electrical equipment: refrigerators, freezers, air conditioning units and televisions. The ordinance admits that the system can be extended to other electrical and electronic equipment, but, for now, these are the devices covered.
The objective is simple: to encourage consumers to deliver old equipment to formal circuits, preventing this waste from ending up abandoned, diverted to informal circuits or treated inappropriately. According to the same source, meeting electrical and electronic waste collection targets requires new instruments that promote this delivery.
How much can you get for old electrical equipment?
The values have already been defined: R$25 for refrigerators, R$25 for freezers, R$35 for air conditioning units and R$20 for televisions. The incentive is granted per unit delivered and depends on the type of old equipment.
In practice, the discount will be applied to the individual end user, that is, to the individual who purchases the new equipment for their own consumption. The general rule provides that the discount is used when purchasing new equipment in the same functional category as that delivered for exchange.
Still, there may be some flexibility. The ordinance allows, upon acceptance by the participating economic operator, the discount to be applied to the purchase of new equipment of a different functional category, whether or not this new equipment is covered by SIED.
There is an important condition for delivering electrical equipment
To benefit from the incentive, it is not enough to hand over any old device. The equipment must be complete and intact, preserving its structural integrity and allowing the respective category and typology to be identified. This means that equipment that is dismantled, incomplete or missing essential items may not qualify for the discount.
The granting of the incentive will be the responsibility of the participating economic operators, that is, the stores or entities participating in the system. These operators will have to accept the repossession of covered equipment, ensure its collection, storage and transportation to licensed waste management operators.
How will the discount be given?
The discount can be granted at the time of purchasing the new equipment, as long as the consumer delivers the old equipment covered by the system at that time. In this case, the value is deducted directly from the purchase.
If the consumer does not hand over the old equipment at the time of purchase, the incentive will only be granted after the used device is received and validated by the participating economic operator. In this situation, the amount must be refunded using the same payment method used for the purchase, within a maximum period of five working days after receipt and validation of the residue.
Participating economic operators will also have to communicate the resumption operation through an electronic platform, within a maximum period of five working days. Validation of the effective routing of waste to SIGREEE will be carried out by system operators, based on platform registrations, transport documents and proof of receipt.
Why was this measure created?
According to the Government, the creation of this mechanism aims to increase the collection of waste from electrical and electronic equipment and ensure its correct disposal for treatment. The diploma also mentions the importance of removing dangerous substances and promoting the circular economy through the use of materials contained in this equipment.
The Portuguese Environment Agency explains that waste electrical and electronic equipment is equipment that the holder discards, intends to discard or is obliged to discard, including components, sub-assemblies and consumable materials that are part of the product at the time it is discarded.
During the first 24 months of operation, SIED will be financed by the Environmental Fund. After this period, financing will be ensured through financial payments owed by producers to SIGREEE management entities.
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