A big answer to a WEEE problem

Toasters, laptops, and washing machines will now have the chance to meet their maker a greener way as Malcolm Wicks, Energy Minister today gave business a clear timetable for implementing the EC Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

Launching the Government's consultation on the key proposals to be introduced from 1 July 2007. Malcolm said:

"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 consultation marks the beginning of the final phase of the Government's process for implementing the WEEE Directive. The proposals outlined in the consultation follow on from a review of our implementation proposals last December and have been developed through extensive consultation with key stakeholders to ensure that they are workable.

The key proposals are:-

• A national Distributor Takeback 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.

Welcoming the launch of the consultation, Environment Agency's Liz Parkes said:

"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."

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