WASTE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT DIRECTIVE (WEEE)

What is the WEEE Directive?

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive is now UK law. The legislation aims to make producers of electrical and electronic equipment pay for the collection, treatment and recovery of waste electrical equipment. The regulations also mean that suppliers of equipment like high street shops and Internet retailers must allow consumers to return their waste equipment free of charge.

Distributors of new Electric and Electronic Equipment (EEE) have a part to play in reducing the amount of WEEE going into landfill sites.

I am obliged under these regulations to offer my customers free take-back of their WEEE on a like-for-like basis when they buy a new Electrical or Electronic product from me.

If you have bought or will be buying a new machine polisher from me, I will take-back your old machine polisher and prevent it going into a landfill site by disposing of it safely. Customers must return their WEEE item to me (at their own cost if using a carrier, or in person to my premises at 2 Craon Gardens, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 1SY) within 28 days of purchasing their new item.

WEEE Regulations

The amount of WEEE we throw away is increasing by around 5% each year, making it the fastest growing waste stream in the UK.

• Much of the UK's WEEE ends up in landfill, where the lead and other toxins it contains can cause soil and water contamination. This can have a harmful effect on natural habitat, wildlife and also human health.
• Many electrical items that we throw away can be repaired or recycled. Recycling items helps to save our natural finite resources and also reduces the environmental and health risks associated with sending electrical goods to landfill.

Under the WEEE Regulations, all new electrical goods should now be marked with the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol shown below: