Whether it’s the
latest must-have gadget for the kids or a new gizmo for the
kitchen, Christmas will see a huge surge in the number of small
electrical goods bought for the home. However three quarters of
old electrical items such as MP3 players, kettles, cameras and
coffee makers will end up in landfill. While an estimated 1.3
million electrical items will be thrown away in 2012.
A campaign is being launched today, Boxing Day, which shows the
benefits of recycling and helps the public find their nearest
recycling point. The Government is backing the industry led
campaign and calling on people to recycle their old electronic goods.
Business Minister Mark Prisk said:
“At this time of year more than ever, old unwanted electronics
often get consigned to the bin or the back of a cupboard. That’s
why now is the right time for a campaign, which reminds people
about recycling their old electrical and electronic equipment and
shows them how easy it can be.
“Whether it’s an old MP3 player, an unwanted set of hair
straighteners or even a broken novelty Christmas decoration,
rather than just leaving them in the cupboard or throwing them
out, it’s much better for everyone if you recycle them. That’s why
the Government is backing this industry led campaign.
“Recycling is not only good for the environment, it’s safer too
as harmful chemicals aren’t sent to landfill. It also creates an
opportunity for our businesses to take advantage and create jobs
and growth that are both sustainable and environmentally
friendly.”
Recycling Minister Lord Taylor of Holbeach said:
“The old electricals we think are just destined for the scrap
heap are packed with precious materials and rare metals that are
worth a fortune if they are recycled properly. The amount of
palladium we expect to be chucked out over the next few years from
old computers, tvs and electrical alone could be worth more than
£1billion. These are resources that won’t last forever and we
simply cannot afford to waste them.
“I challenge everyone to make a new year’s resolution to do the
right thing with their old electricals and stop these precious
materials going to landfill.”
The campaign centres around an advert shows how waste electrical
and electronic equipment (WEEE) diverted from landfill is sent for
recycling and eventually contribute to new products. It is hoped
that this WEEE recycling campaign will help prevent householders
from throwing small electrical items, such as kettles, hair dryers
and other smaller products, into their waste bins and help to
ensure that more waste electronic items are recycled in the future.
The advert will be aired nationwide, for a period of four weeks,
from 26th December 2011 and advises the public to use WRAP’s
Recycle Now site to find their nearest recycling centre.
Notes to editors
1. For more information on the campaign please contact Justin
Greenaway at: justingreenaway@sweeep.co.uk
or call 01795 434 125
2. More information on recycling electronic equipment is
available at www.recyclenow.com and www.recycle-more.co.uk
3. The campaign launches on Monday 26 December and is run by Weee
connect, a Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
industry partnership.
4. A 30-second WEEE recycling advert has been jointly funded by
reprocessors and WEEE producer compliance schemes. Non-financial
support came from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP)
which includes its ‘Recycle Now’ branding being used on the film.
There is no Government funding in the campaign. You can watch the
advert here: http://www.weeeconnect.co.uk/index.php
5. BIS's online newsroom contains the latest press
notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It
also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See
http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Nick Evans
Phone: 020 7215 3496
nick.evans@bis.gsi.gov.uk