New Changes to How You Dispose of Electrical and Electronic Appliances

There is a new waste legislation coming into force that is placing responsibilities on householders for the disposal of any electrical or electronic equipment or appliances.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive aims to minimise the amount of WEEE householders throw out with their general rubbish. By keeping WEEE separate from other waste it can be treated, the hazardous substances can be removed and a large amount of waste can be recycled rather than sent to landfill.

As a householder, you won't be banned from disposing of WEEE in your bin but the new regulations will see a network of collection points for WEEE and householders should find it easier to recycle their old equipment. This may be through improved local authority civic amenity (CA) sites or new take-back facilities provided by retailers. These new arrangements will be operating from 1 July 2007.

In the meantime, householders can:

• take old appliances to their local CA site;
• arrange for their local authority to collect the equipment (some local authorities provide a free collection service and others charge);
• arrange for an electrical retailer delivering new equipment to take away the old appliance.

And don't forget, as a householder, you are now covered by the Duty of Care legislation and must ensure that you only pass on your waste to a registered waste carrier or other approved person.

For more information on the new legislation or to request a copy of the ‘Preparing for the WEEE Directive' factsheet, email weee@hippowaste.co.uk or contact Amanda King on 0870 880 2430.