The Government has launched a consultation marking the final phase on the key proposals for implementing the EC Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) which are to be introduced from 1 July 2007.
The WEEE Directive aims to address the environmental impact of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and to promote its separate collection when it becomes waste (WEEE).
The Directive introduces producer responsibility for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) where retailers have an obligation to offer take-back services to householders. The Directive does not place any obligations on householders, and they will be not be prohibited from throwing away WEEE such as toasters, laptops, or washing machines along with general domestic rubbish. It will however encourage more WEEE to be reused or recycled by ensuring that there is a network of facilities in place where householders can return their used equipment free of charge.
Malcolm Wicks, Energy Minister commented:
"Electrical equipment is the fastest growing category of rubbish across the European Union, with around 20kg per person produced every year, and the UK alone is now generating around 1m tonnes of the stuff every year.
"These proposals are good for consumers, good for responsible producers and good for our environment. By providing a way of ensuring that electronic waste no longer has to go to landfills, manufacturers and importers will have the responsibility to ensure that they plan for both their new and existing products to be recycled rather than dumped.
"In announcing full producer responsibility I want to provide those businesses who have yet to take up their obligation with the certainty they need in order to plan for implementation."
The key proposals are as follows:
- A national Distributor 'take-back scheme' which will establish a network of Designated Collection Facilities enabling consumers to return their used items for recycling or reuse.
- Obligatory registration for producers through approved compliance schemes.
- Authorised Treatment Facilities, which will process WEEE and provide evidence to producers on the amount of WEEE received for treatment.
- Accredited reprocessing/recycling facilities who will provide evidence of reprocessing to producers.
- An end-of-year settlement to ensure producers are able to meet their obligations via an "Exchange system.
- A voluntary approach for producers to show the cost of handling historical WEEE.
Environment Agency's Liz Parkes also commented:
"We are pleased to have been part of the DTI's wider implementation team. The regulations will lead to less waste going to landfills and more materials being made available for recycling.
"Making sure waste is dealt with in an environmentally responsible manner is a priority for us. We have been preparing in anticipation of our role and have been gearing up to handle the registration of producers of WEEE in line with DTI proposals. This will no doubt help contribute towards creating a better environment for everyone."
he consultation will run from 25 July until 17 October and can be found by clicking the following link: DTI - Implementing the Directives 2002/96/EC and 2003/108/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment in the United Kingdom
