Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive: Difference between revisions
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The '''Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive''' (WEEE Directive) is the [[European Community]] directive 2012/19/EU on [[electronic waste|waste electrical and electronic equipment]] (WEEE) which, together with the [[Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive|RoHS Directive]] 2002/95/EC, became [[European Law]] in February 2003. The WEEE Directive set collection, [[recycling]] and recovery targets for all types of [[home appliance|electrical goods]], with a minimum rate of 4 kilograms per head of population per annum recovered for recycling by 2009. The RoHS Directive set restrictions upon European manufacturers as to the material content of new electronic equipment placed on the market. |
The '''Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive''' (WEEE Directive) is the [[European Community]] directive 2012/19/EU on [[electronic waste|waste electrical and electronic equipment]] (WEEE) which, together with the [[Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive|RoHS Directive]] 2002/95/EC, became [[European Law]] in February 2003. The WEEE Directive set collection, [[recycling]] and recovery targets for all types of [[home appliance|electrical goods]], with a minimum rate of 4 kilograms per head of population per annum recovered for recycling by 2009. The RoHS Directive set restrictions upon European manufacturers as to the material content of new electronic equipment placed on the market. |
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The symbol adopted by the European Council to represent waste electrical and electronic equipment comprised a crossed out wheelie bin with or without a single black line underneath the symbol. The black line indicates that goods have been placed on the market after 2005, when the Directive came into force.<ref>{{cite web|title=European Standard EN 50419|url=http://www.freeweeerecycling.co.uk/legislation/Wheelie_Bin_Marking.pdf|publisher=European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization|accessdate=9 April 2012 |
The symbol adopted by the European Council to represent waste electrical and electronic equipment comprised a crossed out wheelie bin with or without a single black line underneath the symbol. The black line indicates that goods have been placed on the market after 2005, when the Directive came into force.<ref>{{cite web|title=European Standard EN 50419 |url=http://www.freeweeerecycling.co.uk/legislation/Wheelie_Bin_Marking.pdf |publisher=European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization |accessdate=9 April 2012 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20140502002423/http://www.freeweeerecycling.co.uk/legislation/Wheelie_Bin_Marking.pdf |archivedate=2 May 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=European Standard EN 50419|url=http://www.pvcycle.org/wp-content/uploads/CEN-Norm-50419-Wheelie_Bin_Marking.pdf|publisher=European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization}}</ref> Goods without the black line were manufactured between 2002 and 2005. In such instances, these are treated as "'''historic WEEE'''" and falls outside re-imbursement via producer compliance schemes. |
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==Directive revisions== |
==Directive revisions== |
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The directive places WEEE into numerous categories, the first tier being historic and non-historic. Historic WEEE implies equipment placed on the market prior to 2005 and the WEEE directive places the onus upon the owner of the equipment to make provisions for its recycling. Where equipment was placed on the market after 2005, it is known as non-historic WEEE (denoted by a bar underneath the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol<ref>{{cite web|last=Link|first=Business|title=Obligations of electrical and electronic equipment users|url=http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1082914822&type=RESOURCES}}</ref>), and it is the responsibility of the producer/distributor to make provisions for its collection and recycling. |
The directive places WEEE into numerous categories, the first tier being historic and non-historic. Historic WEEE implies equipment placed on the market prior to 2005 and the WEEE directive places the onus upon the owner of the equipment to make provisions for its recycling. Where equipment was placed on the market after 2005, it is known as non-historic WEEE (denoted by a bar underneath the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol<ref>{{cite web|last=Link|first=Business|title=Obligations of electrical and electronic equipment users|url=http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1082914822&type=RESOURCES}}</ref>), and it is the responsibility of the producer/distributor to make provisions for its collection and recycling. |
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The WEEE directive sets a total of 10 categories of WEEE<ref>{{cite web|last=Agency|first=Environment|title=WEEE Categorisations|url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/waste/32120.aspx |
The WEEE directive sets a total of 10 categories of WEEE<ref>{{cite web|last=Agency |first=Environment |title=WEEE Categorisations |url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/waste/32120.aspx |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20120106173536/http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk:80/business/topics/waste/32120.aspx |archivedate=6 January 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rubbish Please|title=WEEE Categorisations|url=http://www.rubbishplease.co.uk/blog/recycling-guide/how-to-recycle-e-waste/}}</ref> for reporting purposes. |
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* Large [[household appliance]]s |
* Large [[household appliance]]s |
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==UK implementation== |
==UK implementation== |
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Prior to the implementation of the WEEE directive in the UK, waste electronic and electrical equipment was disposed of in the household (municipal) waste stream. Post the introduction of the Hazardous Waste Regulations,<ref name="defra2005">{{cite web|title=The Hazardous Waste Regulations (2005) as amended (2009)|url=http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/topics/hazwaste/documents/haz-waste-regs-guide.pdf|publisher=Dept. for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs |
Prior to the implementation of the WEEE directive in the UK, waste electronic and electrical equipment was disposed of in the household (municipal) waste stream. Post the introduction of the Hazardous Waste Regulations,<ref name="defra2005">{{cite web|title=The Hazardous Waste Regulations (2005) as amended (2009) |url=http://archive.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/topics/hazwaste/documents/haz-waste-regs-guide.pdf |publisher=Dept. for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20120617015536/http://archive.defra.gov.uk:80/environment/waste/topics/hazwaste/documents/haz-waste-regs-guide.pdf |archivedate=17 June 2012 }}</ref> exclusions apply to electrical and electronic equipment that are deemed hazardous. Hazardous wastes are derived (issued with a universal EU descriptor) from the European Waste Catalogue (known in the UK as the List of Wastes),<ref>{{cite web |author=European Council |url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2000D0532:20020101:EN:PDF |title=European Waste Catalogue}}</ref> which denotes wastes with a six digit number in three sets of two. Hazardous wastes are denoted with an asterisk at the end of the number. Hazardous electronic wastes comprise:<ref>{{cite web |publisher=IT-Green |url=http://www.it-green.co.uk/legislation.html |title=Recycling Computers- Legislation}}</ref> |
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* [[Uninterruptable power supplies]], [[lead-acid batteries]] |
* [[Uninterruptable power supplies]], [[lead-acid batteries]] |
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* [[Waste Framework Directive]], or Directive 2008/98/EC<ref>{{cite web|last=Council|first=European|title=Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32008L0098:EN:NOT}}</ref> |
* [[Waste Framework Directive]], or Directive 2008/98/EC<ref>{{cite web|last=Council|first=European|title=Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32008L0098:EN:NOT}}</ref> |
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The management of WEEE is applied via the waste hierarchy, with particular emphasis upon reduction of waste arising, re-use of equipment and recycling (recovery) of materials: [[Reduce, Reuse, Recycle]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Agency|first=Environment|title=Your Waste Responsibilities|url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/netregs/businesses/construction/62413.aspx |
The management of WEEE is applied via the waste hierarchy, with particular emphasis upon reduction of waste arising, re-use of equipment and recycling (recovery) of materials: [[Reduce, Reuse, Recycle]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Agency |first=Environment |title=Your Waste Responsibilities |url=http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/netregs/businesses/construction/62413.aspx |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/20120103234434/http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk:80/netregs/businesses/construction/62413.aspx |archivedate=3 January 2012 }}</ref> In January 2012, proposals were debated by the European Parliament to recast the WEEE Directive. The proposals included increasing recycling rates. Having been adopted by member states, the re-drafted directive now requires higher recovery rates of 20kg per capita per annum as opposed to previous figures of 4kg per capita. |
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===Public awareness=== |
===Public awareness=== |
Revision as of 00:41, 7 January 2016
This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2009) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7e/WEEE_symbol_vectors.svg/175px-WEEE_symbol_vectors.svg.png)
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive) is the European Community directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) which, together with the RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC, became European Law in February 2003. The WEEE Directive set collection, recycling and recovery targets for all types of electrical goods, with a minimum rate of 4 kilograms per head of population per annum recovered for recycling by 2009. The RoHS Directive set restrictions upon European manufacturers as to the material content of new electronic equipment placed on the market.
The symbol adopted by the European Council to represent waste electrical and electronic equipment comprised a crossed out wheelie bin with or without a single black line underneath the symbol. The black line indicates that goods have been placed on the market after 2005, when the Directive came into force.[1][2] Goods without the black line were manufactured between 2002 and 2005. In such instances, these are treated as "historic WEEE" and falls outside re-imbursement via producer compliance schemes.
Directive revisions
The directive has undergone a number of minor revisions since its inception in 2002. These include updates in 2006 and 2009.
After nine years the Directive was seen as failing to achieve some of its goals, hence the legislation had been amended again. On December 20, 2011 the European Parliament and the European Council agreed on amendments to the Directive, subject to a second-reading vote, which was taken on January 19, 2012.
The changes affect the method for calculating collection rates, which were previously four kg per inhabitant per year. To provide a transitional period of seven years to introduce the revised method of calculation, the present method is retained for the first four years from the time the amended Directive comes into force. For the next three years, commencing with the fifth year after the amendment, the calculation of collection rates will be revised to 45% of the weight of E&E products entering the market. Once this seven years transitional period is over, EU member states will individually select the actual collection options they wish to use.
The overall aim is for the EU to recycle at least 85% of electrical and electronics waste equipment by 2016.
Member state implementation
The directive imposes the responsibility for the disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment on the manufacturers or distributors of such equipment.[3] It requires that those companies establish an infrastructure for collecting WEEE, in such a way that "Users of electrical and electronic equipment from private households should have the possibility of returning WEEE at least free of charge". The directive saw the formation of national "producer compliance schemes",[4] into which manufacturers and distributors paid an annual fee for the collection and recycling of associated waste electronics from household waste recycling centres.
Deadlines
The WEEE Directive obliged the then twenty-five EU member states to transpose its provisions into national law by 13 August 2004. Only Cyprus met this deadline. On 13 August 2005, one year after the deadline, all member states except for the UK had transposed at least framework regulations. The WEEE Directive was transposed into UK law in 2006,[5] and was active the following year.
Categorisations of WEEE
The directive places WEEE into numerous categories, the first tier being historic and non-historic. Historic WEEE implies equipment placed on the market prior to 2005 and the WEEE directive places the onus upon the owner of the equipment to make provisions for its recycling. Where equipment was placed on the market after 2005, it is known as non-historic WEEE (denoted by a bar underneath the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol[6]), and it is the responsibility of the producer/distributor to make provisions for its collection and recycling.
The WEEE directive sets a total of 10 categories of WEEE[7][8] for reporting purposes.
- Large household appliances
- Small household appliances
- IT and telecommunications equipment
- Consumer equipment
- Lighting equipment
- Electrical and electronic tools
- Toys, leisure and sports equipment
- Medical devices
- Monitoring and control instruments
- Automatic dispensers
UK implementation
Prior to the implementation of the WEEE directive in the UK, waste electronic and electrical equipment was disposed of in the household (municipal) waste stream. Post the introduction of the Hazardous Waste Regulations,[9] exclusions apply to electrical and electronic equipment that are deemed hazardous. Hazardous wastes are derived (issued with a universal EU descriptor) from the European Waste Catalogue (known in the UK as the List of Wastes),[10] which denotes wastes with a six digit number in three sets of two. Hazardous wastes are denoted with an asterisk at the end of the number. Hazardous electronic wastes comprise:[11]
- Uninterruptable power supplies, lead-acid batteries
- Cathode ray tubes (televisions, computer monitors)
- Fluorescent tubes, backlights to laptop screens, thin-film transistors
- Electrical/electronic equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)
- Fridges and freezers, due to chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), an ozone-depleting substance. As of 2012 revisions to the regulations, all refrigerants are considered Hazardous.
WEEE that is delivered to household waste recycling centres (HWRC), also known as designated collection facilities (DCFs), is collected by or delivered to approved authorised treatment facilities (AATFs). The waste electrical and electronic equipment is then weighed and categorised in accordance with the directive.
Post re-processing (recycling), total volumes of each category are reported to the producer compliance scheme[12] and the reprocessor is reimbursed accordingly. Totals of obligated WEEE for all AATFs are collated by the environment agency on a quarterly basis and reported to the EU.
Historically, there were problems with the implementation of the producer compliance schemes due to a "double counting" and reporting of reprocessed WEEE to producer compliance schemes. This arose where obligated WEEE was partially treated by the first AATF to receive the waste, prior to it being passed onto a second AATF for further treatment. Both the first and second AATF would then claim against the same waste electronics, resulting in a "net debt" against the wastes being treated.
Additional legislation that applies is:
- The Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991[13]
- Hazardous Waste Regulations (England & Wales) 2005[9]
- Waste Framework Directive, or Directive 2008/98/EC[14]
The management of WEEE is applied via the waste hierarchy, with particular emphasis upon reduction of waste arising, re-use of equipment and recycling (recovery) of materials: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.[15] In January 2012, proposals were debated by the European Parliament to recast the WEEE Directive. The proposals included increasing recycling rates. Having been adopted by member states, the re-drafted directive now requires higher recovery rates of 20kg per capita per annum as opposed to previous figures of 4kg per capita.
Public awareness
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/WEEE_Man%2C_Eden_Project_-_geograph.org.uk_-_785381.jpg/220px-WEEE_Man%2C_Eden_Project_-_geograph.org.uk_-_785381.jpg)
In April 2005 the Royal Society of Arts in the UK (in conjunction with Canon) unveiled a 7 metre tall sculpture titled WEEE Man on London's South Bank, made from 3.3 tonnes of electrical goods—the average amount of electrical waste one UK individual creates in a lifetime.[16] The giant figure was subsequently moved to the Eden Project in Cornwall as part of a UK tour.[17]
See also
- Computer recycling
- Electronic Waste Recycling Act
- Digger gold
- Electronic waste
- Green computing
- RoHS
- eDay
- Electronic waste by country
- China RoHS
References
- ^ "European Standard EN 50419" (PDF). European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "European Standard EN 50419" (PDF). European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization.
- ^ European Council. "The Producer Responsibility Principle of the WEEE Directive" (PDF).
- ^ Northern Ireland Government. "EEE Producer Obligations".
- ^ Environment Agency (England & Wales). "Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)".
- ^ Link, Business. "Obligations of electrical and electronic equipment users".
{{cite web}}
:|first=
has generic name (help) - ^ Agency, Environment. "WEEE Categorisations". Archived from the original on 6 January 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Rubbish Please. "WEEE Categorisations".
- ^ a b "The Hazardous Waste Regulations (2005) as amended (2009)" (PDF). Dept. for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 June 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ European Council. "European Waste Catalogue".
- ^ "Recycling Computers- Legislation". IT-Green.
- ^ Scottish Environmental Protection Agency. "Producer Compliance Schemes".[dead link]
- ^ National Archives (UK), The. "The Environmental Protection (Duty of Care) Regulations 1991". legislation.gov.uk.
- ^ Council, European. "Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives".
- ^ Agency, Environment. "Your Waste Responsibilities". Archived from the original on 3 January 2012.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Project, Eden. "WEEE Man Sculpture, Eden Project, Cornwall".
- ^ "Gallery". Weee Man. Archived from the original on 20 August 2005. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
{{cite web}}
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External links
- European Commission WEEE page
- ecosurety - Expert WEEE compliance support and advice
- EC4P - WEEE regulations in EU countries
- Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), The Environment Agency (UK government)
- VCA- The UK Enforcement Body for WEEE Distributor Obligations
- More on WEEE from Electronics Weekly[dead link]