In the UK, 2 million tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) ends up in Landfill. New regulations have been introduced this year to reduce this amount of waste by setting treatment standards and recycling targets.
The regulations shift the burden of payment for the treatment, recycling and disposal of WEEE from the end-users i.e you as a business, to the producers (companies who import, manufacture or re-brand electrical equipment in the UK).
This will have an impact on purchasing and disposal arrangements for your business.
Who is responsible? If you bought equipment
before 13th August 2005 and are replacing it with new equipment fulfilling the same function, then the
producer of the new equipment is responsible for the treatment and recycling of the old equipment, regardless of whether they were the original manufacturer. If you are
not replacing it then
you are responsible for financing and arranging for treatment and recycling.
If you bought electrical equipment
after 13th August 2005, then the
producer of that equipment is responsible for its collection, treatment and recycling when you dispose of it. If you are buying electrical products from a distributor, obtain the producers registration number for the equipment being supplied so that you know who to contact to arrange disposal at the end of the products life.
For more information visit
www.berr.gov.uk.
