Who We Are

Over 20 years of enduring partnerships offering Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) expertise throughout Europe and beyond.

The European Advanced Recycling Network (EARN) – is a specialist service provider with 26 team members based across Germany and the United Kingdom. We support you, as the product manufacturer and importer, by implementing tailored compliance solutions to meet your legal obligations under Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE, or E-Waste), Batteries, Packaging and Textiles regulations. Our dedicated team has unrivalled in-depth knowledge of EPR legislation across Europe plus rest-of-the-world (ROW) countries where new and emerging EPR requirements exist.

We were founded by a group of leading European recyclers of the BeNeLux countries in 2003 to help manufacturers meet the onerous requirements under the first WEEE Directive. To this day, we are still owned by our recycling partners Electrocycling GmbH in Germany, Renewi plc in the Netherlands and Indumetal Recycling SA in Spain. Our long-term customers are diverse and include numerous large well-known multinational producers of IT equipment, consumer electronics, professional-use products, domestic appliances, Electric Vehicles (EVs), industrial batteries and textiles.

We are totally unique in the field of Extended Producer Responsibility. Not only do we fully manage your registration and compliance reporting obligations under the WEEE, Batteries, Packaging and Textiles regulations in Europe, but through our extensive partner recycling network, we manage the actual take-back and recycling of your products and batteries when they reach end-of-life.

Active in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) since 2005

Our Goal – keeping EPR simple since 2005!

Because let’s be honest – EPR compliance is complicated.

From the outset, our purpose has always been for manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic products to easily meet their obligations under the WEEE Directive (and subsequent EPR regulations). Our job has always been to provide our customers a simple, transparent and painless route to managed EPR compliance. By offering this, our customers can focus their energy on doing what they do best – selling their products.

From our range of fully managed EPR compliance solutions, providing straight-forward guidance and advice when you need it (we really are experts in our field – take a look at our experience below…), as well as reliable and timely take-back and recycling of WEEE and batteries through our Europe-wide network of treatment facilities. We truly are your flexible service provider in Europe.

Simple really!

Our Locations

Our Team

Managing Director – EARN Elektroaltgeräte Service GmbH

Kai has been working in environmental management and the recycling business of WEEE and batteries for almost 30 years. He actively supported the creation and adaptation of European legislation for the circular economy, especially the guidelines/regulations for electrical devices and batteries. At the same time, he develops new and adapts existing recycling processes to the state of the art, which is a welcome change from his bureaucratic everyday life.

When Kai finds some time for himself, he walks his dogs through the forests of the Harz Mountains. But he can only really switch off when on-board a sailing vessel on the Baltic Sea.

Management Assistance & Data Coordination

Linda started her career at EARN in 2006 as the first “EARNie”. After 14 years as compliance consultant she now finds profound joy in being the Management Assistant.

She also loves Italian food after a good hike or a long bike trip and has a passion for languages and cultures.

Managing Director – EARN Service Ltd (UK)

Howard has been active in the field of Extended Producer Responsibility since 2005. In this time he has assisted over 500 established global manufacturers and start-ups implement and manage compliance arrangements to meet their legal obligations under WEEE, RoHS, Batteries and Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations in Europe and beyond.

After he shuts his laptop down, he enjoys long walks surrounded by nature, dabbling in classic car restoration and when not riding his old Italian motorbike, may also be found spending time broken-down at the roadside despondently trying to repair his old Italian motorbike.

EPR Regulatory Expert (WEEE, Batteries, Packaging, Textiles)

Cecilia has worked across sales, marketing, and business development, with years of experience in consultancy, as well as in house expert for an Electronics Producer, for WEEE, Batteries, Packaging, and Textiles Waste Extended Producer Responsibility, and her Master’s thesis focused on compliance with the EU Batteries Directive 2006/66/EC.

When Cecilia can be pulled away from her spreadsheets, you may find her amusing/confusing people with her Australianisms, in full devotion to her dog, or exploring the world and learning new languages with a bag packed with an intriguing book plus hiking gear, a swimsuit, or a ball gown.

EPR Regulatory Expert (WEEE, Batteries, Packaging, RoHS, REACH, Prop 65)

Bob has been active in Environmental Product Compliance since 2010, working across consultancy, services and industry. His experience is in both Extended Producer Responsibility (WEEE, Batteries and Packaging) and Banned, Restricted and Declarable substances compliance (e.g., RoHS, REACH, Prop 65).

While not at the desk helping clients or spending time with his family, Bob has several hobbies and passions ranging from cycling and golf, to baking and horticulture.

Sales – WEEE, Batteries & Packaging

Martin Decker has held various positions in procurement and environmental management at IT manufacturers and take-back organizations. He has many years of experience in process development, procurement management, sales and waste management.

In his free time, he likes to be out in nature doing forestry work and gardening, hiking and doing sports.

Sales – WEEE (B2C Germany), Batteries & Packaging

Sven has held various management positions with consumer electronics manufacturers, recycling companies and take-back organizations. He has many years of experience in waste management, process development, and electronics and plastics recycling and is active in international research projects.

After work, he enjoys cycling or hiking in the countryside or singing in various a cappella formations.

Team Management: Compliance Services – Registration / Reporting

Julia has been with EARN since 2018. She is a diligent Compliance Team leader.

She is a family person who loves long walks in the nature, and cuddling her cat when at home. In her free time you might also find her watching action and horror movies.