WEEE directive
The WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive
This new EU directive, which came into force on 1 July 2007, has implications for anyone getting rid of electrical equipment.
The WEEE Directive is one of a series of 'producer responsibility’ directives that makes producers of new equipment pay for the recycling and/or safe treatment and disposal of the products they put on the market when they eventually come to be thrown away.
The aim is to significantly increase the amount of electrical equipment which is recycled rather than being disposed of. In the UK households alone throw away about one million tonnes of electrical items each year.
This is just some brief information about the directive and its effects. For more information visit the Environment Agency website (follow the link).
What types of equipment are included?
Virtually all products which need electricity for their main function. This means most types of electrical item used in homes, businesses and other organisations, whether operated by mains supply or battery.
There are a few exceptions such as filament light bulbs. Gas cookers are also excluded even if they have electrical clocks because the main function is not electrical.
Disposing of electrical items from your home
(1) If you are replacing an electrical item ask the shop about ways of getting rid of the old one. Shops can take items back or direct you to a drop off point (such as a household recycling centre). They can also provide collection services, but may charge for this.
(2) If the old item is in good condition someone else might want it. Why not ask your local charity furniture scheme ? Some charities also accept mobile phones for reuse or recycling.
(3) You can take any electrical item from your home to the household recycling centres (HRCs).
(4) There are separate storage arrangements at the HRCs for the five main categories for recycling:
(a) large appliances (eg cookers, washing machines)
(b) fridges and freezers
(c)TVs and computer monitors
(d) fluorescent light tubes/low energy bulbs
(e) small items – basically any other electrical item!
(5) Ask a site attendant if you are unsure where to put your waste, or if you need help.
(6) Remember that if you take anything to a HRC in a trailer or commercial type vehicle you need an entry permit for the vehicle.
(7) You can also ask your district or borough council to collect your electrical items separately, but normally there is a charge for this service.
(8) It’s not against the law to put small electrical items in your refuse bin for collection, but this waste will be landfilled and won’t be recycled.
(9) If you pass on waste to someone else for either recycling or disposal you must be certain that they will deal with it properly and legally. You can be held liable if they don’t. Contractors removing waste normally need to be registered as a waste carrier and you are advised to ask for their waste carrier's number.
Disposing of electrical waste from businesses
Business electrical waste can include the whole range of electrical items used personally or in the home, but also more specialised equipment. Waste from businesses cannot be taken to household recycling centres under any circumstances.
Government guidance notes about the WEEE directive and its implications for all businesses is available from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform website (www.dti.gov.uk). There is also more information on the Environment Agency website (follow the link).
(1) If businesses are replacing electrical equipment then the advice is to arrange with the supplier of the new product for the collection and recycling of the old.
(2) If businesses discard old equipment without replacing it contact the original supplier to arrange for this. For equipment purchased on or after 13 August 2005 the producers of that equipment are responsible for financing the collection, treatment recovery and disposal of the equipment. For older equipment, the business getting rid of the waste is responsible for these costs.
(3) All businesses must comply with the Waste Duty of Care Regulations and Hazardous Waste Regulations. This means that waste must be disposed of or recycled at facilities licensed to accept it.
