The Rules For WEEE
The Regulations
On 2 January 2007 the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006 came into force and was made law. This has an important impact on manufacturers, importers, sellers, distributors and users of most types of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE).
The purpose of the Regulations is to transpose the bulk of the provisions of the EC WEEE directive which aims to address the environmental impacts of WEEE and to encourage its separate collection, and subsequent treatment, reuse, recovery, recycling and environmentally-sound disposal (Collection, Treatment, Re-use, Recycling, Destruction). It seeks to improve the environmental performance of all those involved in the life-cycle of EEE.
From the 1st of July 2007 the WEEE Directive came into full effect and ‘producers’ of EEE have the responsibility of financing the CTRRD of the WEEE for which they have an obligation.
For all organisations who are planning to dispose or arrange for a company to remove their redundant equipment that was purchased prior to 15th August 2005 will need to arrange and fund the legal and correct removal of the equipment by ensuring that they comply with all current laws relating to collection of IT and Electrical Equipment.
Any new purchase of IT or Electrical equipment will at the end of its life be the responsibility of the Producer to arrange for the collection and disposal. However companies wishing to reduce their costs of purchase should be able to negotiate a discount on the cost of purchase if they are willing to take on the responsibility of disposing of the equipment in accordance with the WEEE Directive at end of life.
For more info on the WEEE directive and our compliance scheme for producers or assistance for retailers/distributors with their take back responsibility’s please email: sales@recycling4you.co.uk and we will send you full details.
For more information on the WEEE Directive from the Environment Agency please use the link below.
Hazardous Waste
From 16th July 2005 Changes to the Landfill Directive and Special Waste Regulations mean that these items are now classified as hazardous waste and must be treated as such. Certain hazardous wastes are prohibited from landfills. Only licensed contractors are able to remove hazardous waste, and the site producing the waste must be registered with the Environment Agency before a collection can take place.
- Monitor tubes are constructed with glass containing 23% lead oxide
- Screen lumiphors contain cadmium, zinc and various rare earth oxides
- Printed circuit boards are constructed using brominated fire retardants and use lead based solder.
- Refrigeration contains harmful ozone depleting gasses
Batteries may contain cadmium, lithium mercury and nickel.
Organisations have a duty of care to ensure that wastes are consigned to registered carriers and properly stored and disposed of at appropriately licensed facilities. Directors, Managers and other employees who deal with environmental waste matters can all be held liable and face fines and imprisonment if laws are broken.
(Please note that all external links on this page are not under the control of Recycling4you Limited and we can not be held responsible for the accuracy or information contained on them.)
