The WEEE Directive

The WEEE Directive – Whaaat? Sounds like something you’d get in amongst the Pamper advertisements! It is in fact the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. Issued, as you may expect with a monica like this, by the EC. On the one hand it is to encourage (indeed legislation) for the safe disposal of electronic and white goods. On the other hand, it is yet another tool for the price hikes on the high street for the goods we buy because we, the consumers, will be paying for the high street stores to safely dispose of our unwanted equipment. If you buy something, you can’t just dump it now. The definition of “e-waste” includes:

• Large household appliances (ovens, refrigerators, etc)
• Small household appliances (toasters, vacuum cleaners etc)
• Office and communication (PCs, printers, telephones, fax machines, etc)
• Entertainment electronics (TVs, Hi-fi’s, portable CD players, etc)
• E-tools (drills, electric lawnmowers, etc)
• Lighting Equipment (mainly fluorescent tubes)
• Sports and leisure equipment (electronic toys, training machines etc)
• Surveillance Equipment
• Automatic issuing systems (ticket machines, etc)

So there: buy in haste, repent not on the scrap-heap! You almost have to be more careful disposing of the old equipment than you do buying the new!

The implications to businesses are huge. We all got used to the security aspect of not chucking out computer equipment and pre-programmed telephones etc, but now we have to consider the environment, the world and possibly the cosmos! A Nanny State, well possibly yes. But to be fair, with consumer spending increasing and with our need to have the very latest everything, there was always going to come a time when we need to put back the manufacturing and production resources. And that time, says the EC is NOW! As far as businesses are concerned, what can you do? Play it safe and get the expertise of a professional waste disposal company to take away the old stuff. So here we are, with another lot of legislation to which businesses have to abide, another cost on the operations bill, but remember: you are saving the planet! If you want expert advice e-mail Anthony@shredding.info - phs has been in the business of safe disposal for years, so their advice on and removal of electrical and electronic etc items is certain to keep you legal.

And if you are a consumer, well – ask at your local electrical store for advice. They probably won’t be able to help, but you will feel better. Alternatively, look out for those unfortunately named independent WEEE depots which are springing up around the place, they at least can relieve you – of your unwanted electrical items, at least!

If you want further info on this new EC directive (which is now law!) look at (links to be added)

Add comment September 4th, 2006