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WEEE Regs:If you make it or sell it, you need to recycle it
In July 2007, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations came fully into force. Last year over 1.5 million tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment was sold in the UK.
The regulations aim to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill by increasing the amount that is separately collected, re-used (where possible), or sent for specialist treatment and recycled. Under these regulations anyone importing, rebranding or manufacturing electrical or electronic equipment (EEE) is classed as a ‘producer’ and must register and contribute to the costs of dealing with end-of life products. Retailers of household EEE are also affected by the regulations and must either join the collective take-back system or allow customers to return WEEE in store free of charge. With a small number of exceptions, electrical equipment covered by these regulations includes: Household appliances, IT & telecommunications equipment, lighting tools, toys, leisure & sports equipment, monitoring & control instruments, medical devices and automatic dispensers.
The WEEE system is already bringing benefits for the environment; better treatment, less waste to landfill and more recycling but there is more electrical and electronic waste that can be collected. Prosecution for breaching the WEEE regulations can lead to an unlimited fine in the Crown Court. If you are a producer and haven’t registered for 2010, you need to act now. More information about WEEE and your responsibilities under the regulations can be found on the Environment Agency’s website at: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/weee
