EA aims to soothe WEEE concerns
The Environment Agency soothes channel fears over lack of licensed disposal sites
The Environment Agency (EA) has responded to channel concerns over a lack of licensed electronic waste disposal sites in preparation for the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive that comes into force next year.
An EA representative told CRN: “Once the regulations have been finalised, people will apply for WEEE treatment facilities licenses. We’re expecting around 100 applications.
“There are already a number of refurbishers, treatment facilities and recyclers established throughout the UK. The Industry Council for Electronics Recycling has a directory of members who offer WEEE recycling services. The directive seems likely to provide opportunities for waste management companies, and we don’t anticipate a shortfall in capacity.”
Jon Godfrey, managing director of Lifecycle Services, agreed: “I don’t think there will be a problem with the capacity of sites to deal with the material recovery and melting down of steel and the like. However, there are likely to be areas of specialisation such as the disposal of CRT glass from monitors that could pose a challenge.”
Godfrey said many firms are waiting in the wings to invest in treatment facilities. “They are waiting until the regulations are finalised before they spend money on a facility that might end up not complying,” he said.
In October the government revealed it was aiming to introduce legislation for the UK implementation of the directive “shortly”, and will publish accompanying non-statutory guidance. As CRN went to press there was no further news on the finalisation of the regulations.
Mike Lawrence, managing director of VAR Bentpenny, said: “It is utter madness. By the time the government finalises the regulations there won’t be time for these WEEE facilities to be set up to meet the implementation date of June 2006.”