What are the WEEE Directive recycling regulations and do they apply to my business?
The WEEE Directive recycling regulations were created to reduce the 1.8 million tonnes of electrical equipment waste in the UK that is going into landfills.
By recycling as much as possible and disposing of the rest in a correct manner, businesses can reduce their impact on the environment. The regulations also help to support new recovery techniques and improve recycling rates.
What is the aim of the WEEE Directive recycling regulations?
The regulations aim to reduce waste by encouraging the collection treatment, reuse, recovery, recycling and sound environmental disposal of electrical and electronic equipment. It also aims to make producers of electrical and electronic equipment more responsible for the environmental impact of their products.
Your business will need to comply with the WEEE Regulations if you:
- Manufacture or import electrical or electronic equipment
- Distribute electrical or electronic equipment
- Generate any electrical or electronic waste
- Collect electrical or electronic waste from your customers for treatment or disposal
- Operate a waste treatment facility
- Export electrical or electronic waste
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulations apply to electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) in the categories listed below with a voltage of up to 1000 volts for alternating current or up to 1500 volts for direct current.
You will also need to comply with the WEEE Regulations if you generate, handle or dispose of waste that falls under one of ten categories of WEEE:
- Large household appliances (e.g. microwaves, washing machines)
- Small household appliances (e.g. blenders, kettles)
- IT and telecommunications equipment
- Consumer equipment (stereos, TVs)
- Lighting equipment
- Electrical and electronic tools
- Toys, leisure and sports equipment
- Medical devices
- Monitoring and control equipment
- Automatic dispensers
The WEEE Regulations apply to importers, producers, retailers and users of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and also to businesses that treat or recover WEEE.
How does your business get up to speed?
Your environmental regulator will enforce the producer responsibility aspects of the WEEE regulations regarding collection, disposal and processing of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
Your environmental regulator will be able to regulate you to ensure compliance, get in touch on the contact details below to find out more. You may be prosecuted if you fail to comply with the regulations.
England and Wales
The Environment Agency is the main environmental regulator in England and Wales.
Environment Agency Contact Details
Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Tel: 08708 506 506
Postal Address:
Environment Agency
Rio House
Waterside Drive
Aztec West
Almondsbury
Bristol
BS32 4UD
Northern Ireland
The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) is the main environmental regulator in Northern Ireland.
Environment and Heritage Service Contact Details
Email: weee@doeni.gov.uk
Tel: 028 9056 9387
Postal Address:
Environment and Heritage Service
Klondyke Building
Cromac Avenue
Gasworks Business Park
Lower Ormeau Road
Belfast
BT7 2JA
Scotland
SEPA is the main environmental regulator in Scotland.
SEPA Contact Details
Tel : 01786 457700
Postal Address:
SEPA Corporate Office
Erskine Court
Castle Business Park
Stirling
FK9 4TR
