WEEE Directive to tackle UK's 2 million tons of e-waste

03-Jul-07

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive that came into force in the UK makes producers, importers and retailers of electronic goods responsible for recycling their products. Manufacturers and importers will have to join one of 37 Producer Compliance Schemes, which will ensure the correct collection and treatment of the UK's 2 million tonnes of e-waste. The schemes, overseen by the Environment Agency, are funded by the manufacturers and importers depending on the amount of electrical goods they put onto the market. Retailers can sign up to the Distributor Takeback Scheme, operated by Valpak, which provides local authorities with funding to help provide facilities where the public can leave e-waste. There is also an option of retailers running a "take-back" scheme where customers can bring into the store their old electrical item for recycling when purchasing a replacement.