What is WEEE?
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive is a European law that requires countries to maximise the separate collection and environmentally-friendly processing of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The directive imposes the responsibility for the collection and disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment on the producers and distributors of such equipment. It requires that these companies participate in compliance schemes for collecting waste electrical and electronic equipment that enable users of electrical and electronic equipment from private households to be able to recycle waste electrical and electronic equipment free of charge.
Why recycle waste electrical and electronic equipment?
The amount of waste electrical and electronic equipment we throw out is increasing by around 5% each year, making it the fastest growing form of waste in the UK. It is important we address this issue because much of our waste electrical and electronic equipment ends up in landfill sites, where the hazardous substances it contains leaks out and cause soil and water contamination, harming habitats, wildlife and human health. Furthermore, much of our waste electrical and electronic equipment can be repaired or recycled. Recycling helps to save finite natural resources and also reduces the environmental and health risks associated with sending waste electrical and electronic equipment to landfill sites. To remind you that electrical equipment can be recycled, it is now marked with the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol. Please do not throw any electrical equipment (even if it isn't marked with this symbol) in your bin; instead, please take it to your local recycling centre. To find your nearest centre, visit the Recycle More website and type in your postcode.
How are we fulfilling our obligations and promoting recycling?
In the UK, distributors (including online retailers) must provide a system which allows all customers buying new electrical equipment the opportunity to recycle their old items free of charge. As a responsible retailer, we have met the requirements placed on us by financially supporting the national network of waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling centres established by local authorities. We have achieved this through membership of the national Distributor Take back Scheme (DTS); our current certificate of membership is shown below. We’re proud to support your local authority in providing local recycling facilities for electrical equipment. To find out more about waste electrical and electronic equipment recycling and to locate your nearest recycling centre please visit the Recycle More website.