WEEE plastics

WEEE plastics are the polymer fraction recovered from waste electrical and electronic equipment: predominantly ABS, HIPS, PC/ABS and PP from housings, plus engineering polymers from internals. Volumes are large and the material is often high grade — but this is the most compliance-intensive stream in the glossary.

The reason is flame retardants: older electronics used brominated FRs now restricted as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Lawful trade in WEEE-derived plastics requires treatment at authorised facilities that separate FR-containing fractions, and documentation proving it — source, treatment facility, POPs separation method. Without that file, the material is untouchable regardless of price; with it, sorted WEEE-derived ABS and PS trade to compounders licensed for them. Key parameters: documentation first, then polymer split, bromine screening values, colour. Classified HS 3915.90; consignee capability decides the route.