Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Regulations
What is WEEE?
On 01.07.07, new government regulations called the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (WEEE) came into force to encourage people to arrange for the collection or recycling of old electrical and electronic products, rather than throwing them away.
Why do we need to recycle unwanted electrical products?
We dispose of over 1.2 million tonnes of electrical and electronic waste (from hair dryers to television sets) every year in the UK from the public alone. This means that each year, the amount of electrical waste generated in the UK would fill the new Wembley Stadium 6 times over! And the amount of electrical and electronic waste in the UK is growing by at least 5% each year.
Much of the UK's electrical waste ends up in landfill sites, where the toxins can contaminate the soil, air and water. This can be harmful to human health, wildlife and natural habitat.
Many of the electrical products we throw away can be repaired or recycled, thereby reducing the negative impact on the environment.
How do I know which electrical and electronic goods can be recycled?
All new electrical and electronic products now carry the 'crossed out wheeled bin' logo to help you identify which products are recyclable. These items should ideally be recycled separately from your normal household rubbish.
Of course, you can still recycle old electrical and electronic goods that do not have the 'crossed out wheeled bin' logo.
How do I arrange for my electrical items to be recycled?
You can dispose of electrical and electronic waste by taking it to special recycling points. These can usually be found at your 'local tip' or 'household waste recycling centre'.
To find your nearest recycling points, as well as helpful recycling tips for electrical goods visit www.recycle-more.co.uk.
