DEPARTMENT FOR
BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2008/147)
issued by The Government News Network on 2 January 2008
Wicks calls for
more electrical equipment recycling
Christmas may be a fading memory, but many will be wondering what
to do with their old TVs, radios, laptops and fridges. The
billions spent annually on new electrical and electronic equipment
are making this one of the fastest growing types of waste in Europe.
Recycling these goods and appliances has become easier, through
the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive,
which has seen a UK-wide collection and recycling system put in
place. There are now 1556 collection sites in the UK. When
purchasing new goods, consumers should ask retailers how to
dispose of their old. Retailers must either provide free in store
take-back or point you to a local civic amenity site, who will
take it free of charge.
The UK is making good progress, with the latest figures
indicating that the average person recycles 7 kg of electrical
goods a year, well above the EU directive's target of 4 kg by
2008.
BERR Minister Malcolm Wicks said:
"From fridges to flatscreens, many people will have received
the latest must have gadgets at Christmas or bought them in the
sales - and need to dispose of their old equipment. In fact around
two million tonnes of electrical goods are thrown out every year
in the UK alone.
"Through the WEEE directive we have built a network to
service every household in the UK, with over 1100 recycling sites
open to the public. Now it's up to consumers to play their
part - ask your retailer or local authority what service they
offer, or simply go to your tip."
DEFRA Minister for Waste and Recycling, Joan Ruddock said:
"Unwanted televisions, computers and mobile phones can be
put to good use - if they are reused or recycled in the correct
way. Individuals and producers can play a vital role in tackling
waste, by ensuring that these unwanted goods are disposed of
correctly."
In the coming months, the Government will be exploring how to
improve the WEEE system, based on experience gathered from around
the UK, as well as:
- Hosting the inaugural meeting of the new WEEE Advisory Body,
which will meet quarterly to offer government practical and
workable recommendations on how to improve the system, from the
proverbial coalface;
- Participating in the European Review of the WEEE Directive, to
ensure the voice of UK business is heard and concerns considered; and
- Further developing the Settlement Centre, to monitor levels of
recycling.
Notes to editors
1. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006
established the foundations of the UK system for the collection,
re-use, treatment, recovery and recycling of WEEE. The current
system is based upon the principle of collective producer
responsibility as required by the EU WEEE Directive.
2. The regulations aim to tackle the growing amount of WEEE that
is disposed of by setting targets for recycling and making
producers pay for treating and recycling end-of-life electrical
equipment. The EU target is 4kg per head of population.
3. The WEEE Directive has significant effects on producers,
distributors and users of electrical equipment, as well as the
waste management sector. Producer Compliance Schemes have been
established nationwide, working with Approved Authorised Treatment
Facilities, to provide an effective system for collecting and
monitoring equipment, and encouraging reuse.
4. Minor adjustments came into force yesterday under the WEEE
(Amendment) Regulations 2007, requiring tighter evidence and
reporting requirements, to encourage further identification of
whole appliances for reuse. There are no fundamentally changes to
the UK WEEE system, simply clarifications in the light of
experience from the first compliance period, including:
- counting and issuing of whole appliances for reuse;
- issuing of evidence of WEEE to the nearest kg; and
- confirming the right of householders to return equipment into
the system free of charge.
5. On 3 December 2007 the WEEE Advisory Body was established as a
public body to provide independent advice on the development of
the WEEE system following the implementation of the WEEE Directive
in the UK and the introduction of producer responsibility on the 1
July 2007. The WEEE Advisory Body's advice will be an
important contribution to the development of policy in relation to
these issues.
6. There are a total of 1556 designated collection facilities
which meet the requirement of the WEEE Directive for the Member
States to establish an adequate network of collection facilities
from household WEEE. The network is made up of:
Civic Amenity sites (CA) 1111
Waste Transfer Stations 238
Retail Distribution Centres 39
Not for Profit Organisations 67
Commercial Organisations 101
7. For full details of the regulations and factsheets for
producers and consumer, see http
://www.berr.gov.uk/innovation/sustainability/weee/page30269.html
Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform 7th
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