Article

Have a WEEE think before your TV ends up in landfill

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

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