Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
Anything with a plug or battery can be recycled from iron's and radio's to microwaves and computers. In January 2007 the |WEEE directive came into force to encourage the re-use and recycling of electrical and electronic items and to prevent them from going to landfill. Under the directive, the manufacturers and suppliers have to comply with certain regulations which means that they take responsibility for the items that they produce. Since July 2007, they have had to either offer in store take back schemes for unwanted electrical goods or register on a producer compliance scheme to cover the waste costs of their goods.
Why should we recycle electrical and electronic items?
Millions of electrical items are purchased in the UK each year and over 75% of waste electrical goods end up in landfill. This is an enormous waste of goods that could have been repaired or recycled. There are countless people looking for second hand eletrical items all of the time. Alternatively they can be taken apart for their precious finite metals that are in more limited supply. (Even broken items). These parts are valuable in the recycling process and can be reused in new products.
Where can I recycle my electric and electronic items?
- Take them to a |community reycling centre (the tip)
- Retailer 'Take Back' schemes - for a list of retailers that will take back electrical and electronic equipment, go to the |Recycle Now A-Z of retailers
- Advertise it on a reuse network like |Freecycle which pass unwanted items on for free. Visit the |Recycle More website for a list of other sites like |Freecycle.
- Check with friends and family to see if anyone could make good use of it.
