WEEE Directive
Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment 2002/96/EC & 2003/108/EC
The WEEE Directive came into being on the 1st July 2007 and aims to minimise the environmental impact of electrical and electronic equipment by increasing re-use and recycling.
It seeks to achieve this by making producers responsible for financing the collection, treatment and recovery of waste electrical equipment and by obliging distributors to allow consumers to return their waste equipment free of charge.
What is WEEE?
WEEE is waste electrical and electronic equipment, such as TVs, fridges and computers. Every year in the UK, households throw away around one million tonnes of it, which is buried in landfill.
What is the purpose of WEEE?
The WEEE Directive aims to:
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Reduce waste arising from electrical and electronic equipment
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Make producers responsible for the environmental impacts of their products.
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Encourage separate collection and therefore re-use, recovery, recycling and environmental disposal of electrical and electronic equipment
How does this affect me?
The WEEE regulations will make it easier for householders to recycle their old electrical equipment, through improved local Household Recycling Facilities or new ‘takeback’ facilities provided by retailers.
From 1st July 2007, you may notice more information in shops that sell electrical goods. This will explain how the shop is going to take back WEEE. They must either offer in-store takeback or be part of the Distributor Takeback Scheme and therefore tell you where to take it.
Where can I take my Household WEEE?
Residents can take their waste electrical and electronic equipment to the following sites in Kennet for free disposal:-
Devizes Household Recycling Centre, Hopton Park, Devizes
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Everleigh, Household Recycling Centre
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Refurbiz, Unit 18, Hopton Park, Devizes 01380 720200
Please note that Refurbiz cannot accept fluorescent light tubes, IT equipment or televisions for collection. For further information please see the link above to their web site.
The WEEE collected is either re-used or recycled in accordance with all current legislation
If residents can not take their items to the Household Recycling Centre for free disposal and the retailer does not offer a ‘takeback’ service in store, residents can have their bulky items collected by Kennet District Council for a small charge.
What can I do to help?
Think about the environmental consequences before replacing your mobile phone, computer or other gadgets. Do you really need it? Could it be upgraded? If you have working equipment that you no longer need, maybe think about passing it on to others.
When you buy a new electrical product after the 1st July 2007, ask the shop if they will take back the old one. Shops can either take back goods in store or tell you where you can take your items for disposal (see above). You can also ask the shop if they operate a collection service and if there is a charge for this.
Which products are classed as WEEE?
All products covered by the regulations will show the ‘crossed out wheeled bin symbol.’
The following types of household electrical and electronic equipment are covered by the regulations. They are all products that need electricity for their main function.
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Large household appliances, e.g. washing machines, freezers.
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Small household appliances, e.g. vacuum cleaners, sewing machines.
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IT and telecommunications equipment, e.g. computers, keyboards, mobile phones.
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Consumer equipment, e.g. radios, TVs.
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Lighting equipment (excluding filament light bulbs and household light fittings and lamps).
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Electrical and electronic tools, e.g. electric drills, electric saws.
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Toys, leisure and sports equipment, e.g. electric train sets, video game consoles etc.