Why recycle?
Businesses and householders throw away at least one million tonnes of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) in the UK each year, and annually this figure is estimated to be growing by up to 80,000 tonnes.
The recycling of electrical and electronic equipment is not currently undertaken to a sufficient extent, so the introduction of the WEEE Directive in January 2007 introduced strict legislation to address the situation.
What is the WEEE Directive?
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive) came into force in January 2007.
The WEEE Directive aims to both reduce the amount of electrical and electronic equipment being produced and to encourage everyone to reduce, reuse and recycle.
The Directive also aims to improve the environmental performance of businesses that manufacture, supply, use, recycle and recover electrical and electronic equipment.
You may also have obligations under the WEEE Regulations if you are a business with electrical or electronic equipment to dispose of, or if you sell electrical or electronic equipment.
WEEE Directive – Layman’s terms
The WEEE directive is complicated and often raises more questions than answers. Whilst comprehensive and up to date information can be found on the Environment Agency’s website, we have provided a summary which we hope will provide a straightforward explanation.
How does it affect my business?
Under the directive any company that disposes of more than 500kg of hazardous electronic equipment per annum has to register with the Environment Agency as a producer of hazardous waste. General IT related equipment that falls under this category are CRT monitors, fluorescent tubes and lead acid batteries, thus if you are not disposing of CRT monitors, batteries or fluorescent tubes you do not need to register. As a guide if you dispose of 20 or more 17” CRT monitors per annum then you will have to register.
What if my business has multiple sites?
If you have multiple sites then each site that exceeds the 500kg limit will need to register. The Environment Agency does not currently offer multi-site licenses.
How do I register?
You can register on-line with the Environment Agency at the following link.
https://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/apps/hazwaste/registrationwelcome.jsp?lang=_e
What about other electronic equipment?
Under the WEEE Directive you still cannot dump redundant electronic equipment, thus you will have to engage the services of a reputable IT disposal company. In addition to your recycling responsibilities you must adhere to the Data Protection Act and ensure that all data is wiped and certified.
There are many reputable companies now operating who will provide a bonafide service, however there are also many less scrupulous companies operating who do not.
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