December 17, 2003—The British government recently launched proposals to help improve the environment and cut down on industrial waste. The proposals are contained within a consultation on the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, which is due to be implemented in EU member states by summer 2004. A copy of the directive is available from the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Among the proposals is the idea of a national “clearing house” funded by manufacturers, which will provide free collection of WEEE from local waste management sites and other WEEE collection points around the UK so that it can be taken for treatment, recovery, and recycling.
WEEE is designed to change the way old electrical equipment is disposed of by recycling more and tightening up treatment of the waste, removing any hazardous materials and keeping them from entering the environment. This is expected to help conserve natural resources and to cut down on air and water pollution from the WEEE processing by more than half.
The WEEE Directive will work in parallel with the Restrictions of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS Directive), which will restrict the use of certain substances in electrical and electronic equipment from July 1, 2006. This is expected to help recycling by minimizing the need for special handling and treatment.
